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LITTLE KAEIN 


BY 


MABIE SOPHIE 



SCHWAPTZ. 


TRANSLATED FROAI THE AUTHORESS^ ORIGINAL SWEDISH 

MANUSCRIPT 


BY 

SELMA BORG AND MARIE A. BROWN, . 

The Translators of the '' Schwartz f Blanche" and “ Tofelius" Novels, 



(ENGLISH COPYRIGHT SECURED.) 



HARTFORD, CONN. : J 

P2,. w. BLISS coivd:i=>A.:isrY. 

* 1873 • 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18Y3, by 
R. W. BLISS & CO., 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 





CHAPTEK I. 

Welcome home, my dear Elias !” exclaimed 
Judge Magnus Wikstrand to his nephew, 
when the latter early one morning entered 
his honored uncle’s apartment. “ The deuce, 
boy, how you have picked up. You look quite robust. 

I suppose you arrived at E koping last night, as 

you are here so early in the morning?” 

The old judge shook Elias’ hand and looked with a 
satisfied smile at the tall, handsome young man. 

“1 reached E koping this morning, and came 

directly from the steamboat here, so as to be here 
before breakfast,” answered Elias, giving his uncle an 
embrace. 

“ That is good ; yes, by jove, cursed good,” declared 
Wikstrand; “but, confound it, don’t squeeze the 
breath out of me, you scoundrel,” added he, freeing 
himself from the embrace. “To speak frankly, I will 
tell you, my j^oung gentleman, that I did not expect 
you to-day, and that is why I didn’t send the carriage 
for you.” 

“Did you not expect me, uncle ? Am I in the 


6 


LITTLE KARIN. 


habit of being behind time ?” exclaimed Elias. “ Had- 
n’t you given me leave of absence until the twentieth 
of September, so that I should be ready to attend you 
to court on the twenty-second ?” 

Certainly, certainly, but when one is on a journey 
and has everything cursedly pleasant, it may happen 
that he does not come on the day, especially when he 
relies upon his old uncle’s indulgence.” 

“ One has no right to rely upon anybody’s indul- 
gence, when it concerns keeping his word,” declared 
Elias. The judge found this ‘‘ cursedly correct.’ 

“ I bet anything you expected that Lisbeth would 
be home?” said Wikstrand, while he tied his cravat 
before the glass. 

“ How could I ? Aunt Johanna informed me that 
Lisbeth and Karin are at Hyttef ors and will stay there 
till Christmas.” 

“ Hm, hm, the deuce ! how calmly you say that. 
Perhaps you have been to H stad and met Lis- 

beth?” 

‘‘ How you talk ! Haven’t I gone directly from 

Christiana to G , and from there to E hoping?” 

burst out Elias and added jestingly, ‘‘ it sounds as if 
the judge intended to hold a trial ; in that case, I 
declare that it is not worth while. I am as hungry as 
a famished wolf, and if you do not let me have break- 
fast pretty soon, I will not be responsible for what 
becomes of my young life. It will be uncertain 
whether I keep the records at court on the twenty- 
second.” 

It was a speedy operation for the judge to finish 
his toilet. One would have thought that he really 
feared that his nephew’s life was in danger. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


7 


“ I hope Johanna has prepared a good, big break- 
fast,” said Wikstrand, as he and Elias betook them- 
selves to the dining-room, where stood a breakfast-ta- 
ble set in fine style. 

A lady between forty and fifty, and a couple of 
young gentleman, awaited them there. 

“I wonder, my dear sister, if you have known 
enough to give us anything worth eating, to treat the 
runaway with?” uttered the judge, after he had 
responded with a nod to the greeting of the young 
gentlemen. 

The ‘‘dear sister” looked at her brother with an 
offended air. Without answering his question, she 
smiled first at her nephew and then at the young gen- 
tlemen, after which all were invited to take their seats. 
The breakfast began. 

It was excellent. The judge could have regaled the 
king and all the court on it. 

The young disciples of the law partook of it with 
relish, and when the judge ordered wine, they drank 
with pleasure the toast of welcome he proposed for 
his nephew, who had now after several months’ 
absence, returned home. The general state of mind 
became very animated. 

Before we go further in our little narrative, it may 
be necessary to give the reader some information 
about the inmates of Ekholmen, Judge Magnus Wik- 
strand’ s CO untry -place. 

The two young men were jurists and Wikstrand’s 
assistants. 

The elder, Thure Lenmark, was a poor youth, w^ho 
during his school and college time spent his vacations 
at Ekholmen. lie had the kindness of his present prin- 


8 


LITTLE KARIN. 


cipal to thank for his academic course. After gradu- 
ating, Thure came to his benefactor, to begin his judi- 
cial career under the latter’s guidance. 

His comrade was a rich man’s son, whose father 
paid very liberally, in order that young Constantin 
should be educated to something extraordinary with 
“ brother Wikstrand.” 

Miss Johanna Wikstrand, the judge’s youngest sis- 
ter, was, when she came to take charge of her broth- 
ers house many years back, a young lady of twenty. 
Stately in figure and bearing, with brown eyes, rosy 
cheeks and black hair, she was generally regarded as a 
pretty woman ; lively in her motions, more than taste- 
ful in her attire, and dreadfully coquettish, she was 
also called a dangerous woman. 

During the first ten years that she had attended to 
her brother’s house with zeal and capability, there had 
often been too warm an interest between her and the 
young notaries, but these ardent attacks ended with a 
well-adjusted cooling application from the always 
clear-sighted brother. When “old man Magnus” 
fancied that the degree of warmth became too high, he 
sent for the afflicted youth and asked him the follow- 
ing questions: 

“ How old are ydu, sir f ’ 

The answer was usually twenty -three, twenty-four 
or twenty-five.” 

“ My sister is thus much older.” 

The poor sinner reddened. Wikstrand continued : 

“ She has neither youth nor property to offer ; do 
you wish to marry her notwithstanding this ?” 

Silence. 

“ You lack desire, sir, I perceive, and it is very sen- 


LITTLE KARIN. 


9 


sible ; for if Johanna rushed ahead and took such a 
young man for a husband, she would not inherit a sin- 
gle farthing from me. Do you understand what is 
now to be done 

The unfortunate fellow had no understanding and 
neither any answer to give. Wikstrand added there- 
fore in the tone of a judge : 

“ The carriage will stand waiting to-morrow morn- 
ing at seven o’clock ; I hope that you will then be 
ready to depart.” 

And the notary was obliged to be ready, for from 
the pronounced judgment there was no appeal. 

So had the judge, during the course of ten years, 
sent away four or five young notaries, to the great 
sorrow of sister Johanna. 

After such a dismissal of her adorers, Johanna clad 
herself in dark colors and appeared for a whole week 
with red circles around the artful eyes. Eight days’ 
sorrow was however the most she bestowed upon the 
departed, after that she resumed her gay colors, began 
to smile at the one who succeeded the adorer or at the 
one who was left, and so it went, until years came upon 
her and opposed her love of conquest. 

It must not be assumed, however, that Johanna’s 
coquetry proceeded from the desire to marry ; no, she 
had had, since she came to her brother’s, two suitors, 
to whom she had given the mitten, to the great vexa- 
tion of the judge, who had nothing against seeing his 
sister well married. 

One of these gentlemen was a minister in the com- 
munity. A man with good pastoral gifts, as well in 
the way of preaching as in gathering into bams. 
A few years after Johanna gave him the mitten, he 


10 


LITTLE KARIN. 


became rector of the district, but tins effected no 
change in her decision. 

The other suitor was Justice Enkeman, rich and 
highly respected, but no longer young. Johanna’s 
inclination nevertheless was not for crown officials 
and ministers, but for young lawyers. 

At the time of our story Johanna was forty -four 
years of age ; well preserved, without a single wrinkle 
or a gray hair among her raven locks. She was rather 
fleshy, it is true, but no more than was becoming to 
her. That she was over forty, was what Johanna 
could never comprehend or remember, except when 
the census was taken and brother Magnus inquired : 

“My dear sister, were you not born in the year 
***?” To which Johanna answered “yes,” and 
became hot about the ears. 

That day she was in a bad humor. TJsually she 
held Fru Lenngren’s words in lively remembrance 
that “ gladness makes us young,” and was therefore 
almost constantly joyous. 

That she still maintained her desire to make con- 
quests, was a weakness, which at forty -four years of 
age became perfectly harmless. It was limited to the 
wdll, but was not accompanied by the power. 

After Johanna had attained her thirty-sixth year, 
no young men had been obliged to quit Ekholmen on 
her account, but the judge left them in peace to the 
enjoyment of Johanna’s attentions, smiles and glances. 

The temperature around the “good-hearted Ero- 
ken ” never became so oppressively warm, that brother 
Magnus needed to concern himself about it. 

Besides her weakness for young notaries, fine clothes 
and bright colors, Johanna had a couple of others. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


11 


One was a fanatical love for her nephew Elias, whom 
she had had in her charge since his fourth year, when 
his parents died. For his happiness and comfort 
’ Johanna could have sacrificed the young notaries, the 
fine clothes and the delightful conquests. Elias was 
the light of her eyes and woe unto the one who dared 
to assert that he had a single fault. 

The other weakness was of an opposite nature and 
consisted in a great antipathy to cousin Elise’ daugh- 
ters, whom brother Magnus had also adopted. 

Lisbeth and Karin Heldener were only seven and 
five years old, when Magnus, one dark winter after- 
noon, brought them and their mother home with him. 
To his dear sister ” he said, that cousin Elise and 
her little girls should have their home at Ekholmen 
aud occupy the three gable rooms. 

Fru Elise Heldener, two years younger than 
Johanna, was, in spite of sorrow and adversity, consid- 
erably prettier, an unpardonable fault, which from 
their earliest youth had called forth Johanna’s dislike. 
She was therefore unable to feel sympathy for the 
unhappy situation in which Elise found lierseK, and 
received the destitute and afflicted cousin with feelings 
that were not particularly friendly. 

Only for a few years had Elise Heldener and 
Johanna one and tlie same home. Heath delivered 
Johanna from the object of her aversion and deprived 
the children of a beloved mother. J ohanna s dislike 
to the deceased passed in inheritance to the children, 
so that she could never become quite reconciled with 
them. 

Wikstrand, a great observer, with a fine power of 
discerning what passed around him, immediately per- 


12 


LITTLE KARIN. 


ceived Jolianna’s state of mind toward the orphan 
children, and realized that they ought to be placed 
beyond the power of her malevolence. A governess 
was engaged for tbem and Johanna was not allowed 
to occupy herself in the slightest degree with their 
education, something which in no wise increased her 
good-will, especially as her brother always appeared 
against her in the children’s defense, even when they 
were in the wrong. 

The little girls grew up and developed into bloom- 
ing maidens. It now became absolutely difficult for 
Johanna to endure them. Her aversion increased 
every year and became apparent to all. A petty war- 
fare was incessantly carried on between her and the 
young girls. She had the sorrow of seeing one of 
these “ thankless young ones ” constitute the object of 
the young men’s attention ; she was obliged, poor 
Johanna, to witness that Lisbeth was courted and 
made much of in all conceivable ways, and this was 
enough to irritate a saint, still more a jealous woman 
of forty-four. 

If Johanna had not been her brother’s sister, the 
notaries would not even have shown her ordinary civ- 
ility, but she would have been compelled to see her- 
self neglected, and that for the sake of an insignificant 
slip of a girl. . Many times, during these painful years, 
when even Elias evinced greater sympathy for Lisbeth 
Ileldener than for Johanna, she was seized with 
remorse at not having married Justice Enkeman or 
the rector ; she would then have been spared the suf- 
ferino^ she now endured. 

Fa^e finally had compassion upon her. 

Elias became rather too much attracted to Lisbeth. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


13 


This discovery gave Johanna great sorrow, but still it 
brought one little alleviation to her torment. 

After Elias had rhapsodized, loved, and been either 
happy or unhappy, according as Lisbeth treated him, 
there came a day wEen he shut himself up in his 
room ; after that there was a 'week in which he was 
not seen, and at last a hunting excursion. 

He returned from the hunt late one evening ; in 
the morning he lay very ill with a severe cold. W eek 
after week the bad attack of inflammation of the lungs 
kept him confined to his bed. 

Johanna forgot to attire herself with care, the gay 
ribbons and the over-trimmed dresses disappeared. 
With solicitude and anxiety she watched over “ the 
dear boy.” Finally the danger was overcome and he 
began to recover. The winter passed however before 
Elias could be considered perfectly w’ell. When 
spring approached and the anemones peeped from 
under the. snow, the physician prescribed a change of 
climate for him. 

“ Take a journey, that will complete the cure,” said 
the doctor. 

So one beautiful spring morning Elias bade farewell 
to Ekholmen. 

Johanna shed floods of tears, the judge shook his 
nephew’s hand over and over again ; Karin smiled and 
bade him recollect minutely all the remarkable things 
he saw, so that he could relate them to her ; and Lis- 
beth desired that Elias might return well and happy. 

“ I am not coming back before I am cured,” he 
whispered to her and sprang into the carriage, which 
rolled away with J ohanna’s favorite. 

It was now quite lonely at Ekholmen. 


14 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Two days afterwards however Johanna again had 
crimped hair, adorned with variegated leaves, tine 
clothes and an amiable smile for the masculine por- 
tion. 

Thure, who next to Elias w^as Johanna’s favorite, 
had of late become the object upon which she lavished 
all her charms. He was older than Elias, and Johanna 
had her decided suspicion that his gratitude to her had 
assumed a very warm character. Sweet was the 
thought that he held her dearest of all in this world, 
and wdiat was more natural than that she should give 
him credit for it. Consequently he received innumer- 
able proofs of good-will. To be sure, brother Magnus 
at that time had two other young men in the house, 
but these ignored Johanna ; they were greatly inter- 
ested in Lisbeth and did not heed Johanna’s loveliness. 
Thure, on the contrary, scarcely ever spoke to Lis- 
beth, but only associated with her when he could not 
avoid it, and was always very sharp in his attacks 
against Karin. Aunt Johanna he showed the great- 
est attention and tried to guess her wishes, something 
which did not escape the good aunt. Yes, it was 
plain to be seen, thought she, that Thure was strongly 
attracted to her, that she vras in his eyes the ideal of 
womanly perfection. How heartily he laughed at her 
witty sallies, how closely he listened when she 
exhausted herself over Lisbeth’s pride and vanity, or 
Karin’s negligence and snappishness, and in this beha- 
viour of his lay a consolation which inspired hope. 

Shortly after Elias’ departure, the young girls were 
invited to visit a relative, who resided ten miles from 
Ekholmen. They were to stay there through the 
summer and fall until Christmas. Johanna had thus. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


15 


as a compensation for all that she had suffered, several 
months’ deliverance from her tormentors. She would 
gladly have had her cousin’s children stay away for 
years at a time ; but brother Magnus felt differently, 
and he had enjoined that they should be home again 
by Christmas. The day the girls left Ekholmen, 
Johanna was in such excellent humor, that she got up 
all the good tilings for dinner she dared to, without 
exposing herself to brother Magnus’ remarks. She 
was so merry, that they all agreed that the old lady 
had not been so amiable for a long while.” 

Some time afterwards young Roth came to Ekhol- 
men, and J ohanna spent golden days. She was the 
sole feminine companion of the young men, when they 
wished to chat away an hour ; and she dreamed that 
she was back to the time when she made conquests 
and was happy,, 

Such was the position at Ekholmen, when Elias, 
after several months’ absence, returned, well, cheerful 
and full of life. All traces of illness, of melancholy, 
and unhappy love, were effaced. On seeing the hand- 
some youth, one would have been tempted to believe 
that he had never learned what trial meant by experi- 
ence. 


CHAPTEK II. 


^ evening of the same day Elias came 
'^^1 home, after the family had bidden each other 
good-night, Johanna took him with her into 
her room, in order to talk to him in peace 
about old and new things. 

Elias, it is true, would rather have accompanied 
Thure ; but he had a grateful disposition and consid- 
ered it a duty to devote the first evening to aunt 
Johanna. 

In the meanwhile Constantin and Thure sat in the 
former’s room, where they were entirely enveloped in 
cigar smoke. 

“Kow you can just as well, for the sake of change, 
dear Thure, lay yourself out to be agreeable,” said 
Constantin. 

“ If it^stands in my power,” answered Thure, “ but 
as you know, I am not especially talkative.” 

‘‘Oh yes, with aunt Johanna you are sociability 
itself, otherwise you keep silent and work like a horse. 
J ust imagine now that I am the SAveet creature, and 
open your speech-box, I will give you a subject.” 

“ What is it ?” 

“ The Heldener girls. 

la 


LITTLE KARIN. 


17 


“ That is not a particularly pleasant subject.” 

“ If young girls are not delightful to talk about, you 
stock fish, then verily I do not know what is delight- 
ful.” 

“ Opinions vary here in this world. Well, what do 
you desire me to say about them ?” 

‘‘All that you know. I wish to learn how they 
look; if they are pleasant, and what character they 
have. To judge, from their photographs, one of them 
is very good looking, and to judge from the old 
woman’s description, they must both be inveterate 
egotists, full of dissimulation and guile. I fear how- 
ever that the sweet aunt’s account is not reliable.” 

“Hot altogether; aunt Johanna has been preju- 
diced against their father and this has reacted upon the 
children.” 

“Yes, that is true, he got into difficulty, lost his 
office and took his own life. That much I have heard 
my father speak of.” 

“ Precisely. Aunt J ohanna, like women in general, 
has her antipathies, and for the Heldener family she 
entertains a thorough hatred. Still, it was not of this 
we^were to speak, but of Lisbeth and Karin. They 
are very nice girls, at least one of them. Lisbeth is as 
lovely as a spring morning, and so captivating that one 
finds a pleasure in regarding her. She has a good 
heart, is musical and very agreeable. Karin, on the 
other hand, is rather homely, and two years younger 
than her sister ; she appears still younger through her 
childish disposition and her thoughtless pranks. 
Impulsive, wilful and wild as a boy, she more resem- 
bles a school-girl than a full-grown woman. She flies 
about like a dragon-fly. The whole day long one 


18 


LITTLE KAEIN. 


hears her laughing or singing. She is extremely irri- 
table, and if she has any character, I fancy it is not a 
particularly amiable one, for in addition to the quali- 
ties already mentioned, she is excessively greedy for 
money. All young men are charmed with Lisbeth, 
yes, badly smitten ; Karin on the contrary is regarded 
as a badly brought-up child, whom each and all con- 
sider it their duty to correct. Karin herself does not 
care for us young men ; she does not take the slight- 
est pains to escape remarks, or to avoid being treated 
like a child. Her birds, her dog, her flowers and her 
hoarded money, constitute her joy, and the affection 
for her uncle Wikstrand, her only deep feeling. 
Kemarkable enough she is his favorite, and has gained 
the right of being as saucy to him as she pleases. The 
old man admires Lisbeth for her beauty, but he loves 
Karin. Both do wdth him what they choose. And 
now, my dear Roth, you have had a description of the 
two girls. I hope you have found me ‘ cursedly 
agreeable ’ while I have been speaking of them.” 

“ At least less tedious than usual,” replied Constan- 
tin. “ Your description of Froken Karin was unpleas- 
ant. I see the young damsel vividly before my eyes, 
with disordered hair, torn clothes and black nails ; 
ready any instant to grab whatever she can get hold 
of. She will certainly be let alone by me ; how it will 
be with Lisbeth is as yet undecided.” 

‘‘Hot at all, you wdll be head and ears in love. One 
cannot live under the same roof with her, without 
losing his heart.” 

‘‘ Indeed ; that is to say, you have lost yours ?” 

“ It is fire-proof,” declared Thure, taking a few puffs 
of his cigar. I would be a fool, if I allowed myself 
to be singed by the fire in her eyes. She would then 


LITTLE KARIN. 


19 


do with me as 'with Elias, tell me to go through a cold 
water cure.’’ 

Constantin laughed. 

“ That is smart, and I take it for granted that I will 
fall in love,” said he. ‘‘ W ell, I suppose Elias followed 
her advice to the letter ?” 

JSTot exactly. He first went hunting, caught cold, 
became ill and afterwards started off on a journey.” 

“What did Lisbeth do when he became ill ?” 

“ She wept, but regained her cheerfulness when he 
went his way.” 

“ She left herself soon afterwards, did she not ?” 

“ She did not do it willingly and I suspect that — • 
but what is this, who can be driving here this time of 
night ? it is almost one o’clock.” 

Thure left the room to learn wdio the guest was. 

Dowm in the hall he found a servant girl, half- 
dressed, with a light in her hand, engaged in opening 
the front door. 

“Who is it that comes here at this hour?” asked 
Thure, helping the half-awake girl to draw the bolt. 

“ The inspector, I suppose, as he did not come home 
to supper,” answered Lovisa, yawning. 

The door opened, and there stood the inspector, but 
not alone; he was accompanied by two ladies, who 
cried, when they saw the notary : 

“ Good evening, Thure, how pleasant that you were 
a-^ivake !” 

“Lisbeth and Karin!” exclaimed he, looking 
astounded. 

“We ourselves, who returned three months before 
we were expected,” said Karin, and laughed so that 
she cheated the inspector and Thure into joining in 


20 


LITTLE KARIN. 


her merriment. It is not my fault that we are now 
here, but Lisbeth’s ; she could not stand it any longer 
at Hyttefors, so she wrote to the inspector and asked 

him to meet us at hoping. Oh, how delightful it 

is to be home again.” 

Karin clapped her hands, seized hold of Thure, and 
danced around with him, in spite of his resistance. 

“How glad aunt Johanna will be,” said Lisbeth 
quite seriously. This sounded so comical, that all 
burst into a laugh, Lovisa included. 

“ What in heaven’s name, Lovisa, are you making 
such a racket for and waking up the whole house ?” 
cried a displeased voice from the top of the stairs. 

The girls exchanged an expressive glance, Lovisa 
giggled, and Thure was obliged to answer the ques- 
tion. 

“Dear aunt, it is Lisbeth and Karin, vdio have 
come home to give their uncle a pleasant surprise,” 
said he. 

“ Are Lisbeth and Karin home ?” screamed Johanna, 
in a tone which gave unmistakable indication of the 
vexation the news occasioned. 

It was impossible for Karin to refrain from reply- 
ing: 

“ Good evening, dear aunt ; you will certainly not 
be angry because we are home again ; it was so dread- 
fully tedious where we were, and so we feared that 
you here at home had an equally dull time, therefore 
we hastened back.’ 

Ko answer, no motion; it became silent up there. 

Lovisa conducted the young ladies up to their room, 
which lay next aunt J olianna’s. They passed by her 
door. Lisbeth intended to go in and greet her, but 
found the door bolted. 


LITTLE KA^RIN. 


21 


Laughing heartily, Thure went in to Elias, who, after 
the tete-a-tete with his aunt, had retired to rest, and 
now slept the sleep of the just without imagining that 
the peace-disturbing Lisbeth had returned. At the 
noise, Thure made, Elias woke up and muttered some- 
thing that resembled an oath ; then he asked what 
Thure wanted and why he raised such a commotion. 
But when he did not get any answer, and Thure threw 
himself on the sofa and continued to laugh, Elias sat 
up and exclaimed wrathfully : 

“ Are you crazy to rush in to people in the middle 
of the night and wake them up with your laughing f ’ 
Have you won a million in a lottery, so you cannot 
control your merriment 

“ Ah, it is something worse than a gain in a lot- 
tery,” declared Thure still laughing. “Just think of it ; 
the girls have come home again post-haste, and that 
just now ; aunt Johanna is beside herself with rage. 
I pity the inspector with all my heart, he has fallen 
into disfavor for time and eternity. There will be a 
hot strife at Ekholmen, and “ lucky the one who is 
luckily dead.’ Well, Elias, what do you say about 
seeing Lisbeth again ?” 

“ It will be very pleasant, but it would be still pleas- 
anter to be allowed to sleep in peace.” 

Elias turned to the wall, and added : 

“So my dear, good aunt is enraged. Poor old lady, 
I suppose I shall be forced to get her pacified again 
before breakfast, or else — ” 

“We will have herring and potatoes,” fell in Thure. 
“ Aunt knows that Lisbeth does not like that diet and 
that is the reason she has decided to treat us to it.” 


CHAPTEE III. 


S there any person on earth, who has more 
persistent ill luck than I burst out Johanna 
the following morning, as she arranged her 
shining black hair before the glass. “ I was 
enjoying a little rest after long years of annoyance; 
I re joiced at the thought that this rest would continue 
yet awhile, and then come my torments again, three 
months sooner than they are expected, and that only 
to embitter my life. I suppose Elias will become as 
crazy as he was before his journey ; young Eoth will 
probably burn his wings, too ; and in the meantime I 
will have the pleasure of beholding how she, the vain 
jilt, is worshiped by all, while 1 am neglected in every 
way.” Johanna sighed and looked in the glass. 

She was a well-preserved woman, it is true, but the 
consciousness that one had to use the word “pre- 
served,” pained her. Lisbeth’s youthful beauty and 
charming face appeared before her, and protested 
against the possibility of Johanna’s making any con- 
quests in her presence. The young men would not 
even do justice to Johanna’s excellent qualities, and 
she was daily obliged to endure the comparison with 
Lisbeth’s loveliness, which, in the men’^s eyes, signified 
more than all J ohamia’s wit and intelligence. J ohanna, 
22 


LITTLE KARIN. 


23 


sensible as she was in all other respects, was so nnphil- 
osopliical, that she felt extremely miserable. She was 
strongly tempted to give vent to her grief in tears. 
Luckily for the “ tine eyes ” the cook entered. The 
flood of tears was thus checked, before it burst forth. 

“ What shall we have warm for breakfast inquired 
Martha, who continued without waiting for an answer, 

there are some veal cutlets ; I suppose we had better 
have cutlets and dropped eggs.” 

Martha knew that Lisbeth was fond of cutlets, and 
as she on her side was fond of Lisbeth she would have 
been only too glad to treat her pet to a favorite dish, 
now that she, to Martha’s great delight, was home 
again. 

Johanna turned abruptly from the mirror and 
exclaimed : 

“ What are you thinking of, Martha, to use cutlets 
for breakfast ? No, we will have herring and potatoes 
to-day. You know that I abhor waste.” 

That will not do. Miss Johanna,” declared Martha. 

We will have to have a nice breakfast for the young 
ladies, the flrst morning they are home.” 

Not at all. I do not intend to ruin the house 
because they have returned. The cutlets must be for 
dinner ; now, Martha, you know my will. With cof- 
fee put on only dried rusks, and no Cakes of any kind. 
I can’t stand it to bake constantly.” 

Martha became crimson. She was not one of those 
who conceal their indignation, and she exclaimed : 

My gracious ! how economical you are to-day, for 
it seems to me, that during the whole time the young 
ladies have been away, no economy has come in ques- 
tion. Yesterday I was obh>ed to kill three of the 


24 


LITTLE KARIN. 


fattest chickens for breakfast, and that notwithstanding 
they ought to have been saved for the judge’s birth- 
day ; waffles had to be baked, all kinds of fancy cakes 
had to be brought out, and — ” 

“ Hold your tongue, Martha, and obey,” screamed 
Johanna. It is very uncertain whether Martha would 
have troubled herself to keep silent, had not Elias 
entered the room, although his aunt was not yet quite 
dressed. 

He nodded to Martha, patted her on the shoulder, 
and said in a merry tone : 

“ There now, Martha, go down in the kitchen and" 
see that we have a real splendid breakfast. I can’t 
bear herring and potatoes — that is to say, I will have 
to send the food back to the kitchen, and you will 
have to prepare something else ; I mean to, have 
plenty of cakes and other good things.” 

“ But Miss Johanna has — ” 

“ To-day, but only for to-day, you must obey me 
and not Miss Johanna. March, old lady, and recol- 
lect that we all, I, Thure, and the strange notary have 
resolved not to eat herring and potatoes.” 

Martha hastened out, with a triumphant smile. 
Johanna, who was never accustomed to weep, burst 
into tears, while she reproached her nephew wdth 
great vehemence for his behavior. 

Elias understood Johanna so well, however, that it 
was not long before he succeeded in calming her. 
When she became sufflciently composed to listen to 
his words without emotion, Elias represented quite 
fearlessly the injustice of her showing the Heldener 
girls her ill-will on all occasions. They had done 
nothing ; consequently her animosity was uncalled for. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


25 


Elias spoke tlie truth, Johanna’s reason was obliged 
to acknowledge it ; but this consciousness had a very 
painful effect upon her irritated feelings. The young 
maidens seemed only to exist to remind her of all that 
she wished to forget. And now came Elias and dis- 
approved of her conduct toward them. Elias, who 
never before had blamed her actions, even if, during 
the love-fever, and in Lisbeth and Johanna’s disputes, 
he had been on the former’s side. 

“Do you know, aunt, I have a proposal to make, in 
order that the old quarrels may not arise again and be 
made the object of ridicule and remark by the listeners.” 

“ Eidicule and remark,” repeated Johanna, “ and by 
whom ?” 

“ By the young men here,” answered Elias, quite 
mercilessly ; but he added in a merry tone,“ well, aunt, 
do you wish to hear my proposition ?” 

“"What is it?” said Johanna in a rather indignant 
tone. 

“ At your first attack against the girls, I will remind 
you that you ought to abstain from skirmishes, and 
this will be done by means of the question whether 
you would like me to read to you that evening. "Well, 
dear aunt, what do you say of it ?” 

Johanna bowed her head affirmatively. 

“ Will you now promise me to try to become kind 
and friendly to 1 Jsbeth and Karin ? Believe me, it 
injures you yourself if you are not so ; Both will 
make sharp remarks and blame you alone, and this I 
do not wish. I promise, for my part, to cheer and 
divert you when we are together and do all in my 
power that comfort and harmony may prevail. Are 
you willing to have me for your mentor ?” 


26 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Johanna smiled dolefully, patted the dear hoy, and 
said that he could do with her anything he pleased. 
She would endeavor to be kind to the girls — more she 
could not promise. 

During breakfast Johanna’s good resolutions were 
put to such a severe test, that they did not hold out. 

All present, brother Magnus included, were exclu- 
sively interested in the girls ; even Thure, who had 
never before paid them any attention, did it now. 
He forgot to be politeness itself, as usual, to aunt 
Johanna. 

Constantin had eyes only for Lisbeth ; that he 
found her beautiful, was plain to be seen. The judge 
himself repeated at least twenty times, that it was 
likely to be pleasant at Ekholmen now that the birds 
had returned from their flight, and the inspector, usu- 
ally mute as a flsh, and submissive as a slave to aunt 
Johanna, was so absorbed in listening to Lisbeth’s 
chat, that in his abstraction he handed Johanna the 
cork-screw when she asked him for the sugar-bowl. 

Elias was cutting up with Karin, and did not hear, 
when Johanna inquired whether he would have 
another cup of cofiee. Under such circumstances, no 
one can blame the poor woman, if she lost patience 
and began to assail those who placed her in the 
shadow. 

Johanna could jest in a very pointed and even spite- 
ful manner over other people’s failings, and so ridicule 
the person she attacked, that the most serious must 
smile. She now tried to get those present to laugh at 
Lisbeth, but did not succeed. Johanna’s sallies were 
as witty as they were sharp, but they had the fault of 
being directed against a maiden of nineteen by an 


LITTLE KARIN. 


27 


unmarried woman of forty-four. The young men 
considered the old froJc^en malicious. All she gained 
was that brother Magnus finally said : 

“ What a cursedly sharp tongue you have got, dear 
sister ; I believe, by my honor, that you will become 
as incorrigibie as all other old — ” 

The sentence was never finished. Karin upset her 
cofiee-cup over uncle Magnus, who hastily rose to save 
his light gray pantaloons, which notwithstanding this 
could not be saved. The judge had to go to his room 
and exchange them for another pair. The contents of 
the cup had drenched the table-cloth besides, and 
Karin’s own dress. Johanna gained a desired oppor- 
tunity to scold. During the confusion this produced, 
they all rose from the table. Lisbeth took the young 
men with her out in the garden, to eat some fruit. 

Karin went to her room to change her dress; 
Johanna seated herself by one of the windows in the 
sitting-room, to witness how Thure, Constantin and 
the inspector competed in the efibrt to procure Lisbeth 
the finest fruit, while Elias chatted with her. 

Poor Johanna ! it chafed her to behold this, and still 
more was she chafed by her brother’s words. She felt 
tempted to abjure the world’s vanity and folly, to 
throw her red ribbons into the fire, give away her 
handsome dresses, comb her hair with water, clothe 
herself in black or gray and become a — nun. She 
would reflect upon it, however, before she carried out 
this decision, especially as her attention was drawn 
away from the garden and fastened upon something 
that was said out in the saloon. 

She heard her brother enter and exclaim ; 

It is a cursed shame, Karin, for you to spoil my 


28 


LITTLE KARIN. 


pantaloons in that way. I think it is best for yon not 
to sit by me hereafter, when we breakfast.” 

‘‘ So the pantaloons were ruined ? I am glad of it, 
dear uncle,” answered Karin. 

^‘Glad of it?” 

Most assuredly, as I upset the cotfee on purpose.” 

You don’t say so !” 

‘^Listen to me, uncle, and you will have an explana- 
tion of the matter, and at the same time some warn- 
ings for the future, which may give you something to 
go by. Kow mark what I tell you : if you allow 
yourself to say mean words to aunt Johanna about her 
age, her unmarried state, etc., etc., you will have a cup 
of coffee, a gravy-dish, or a glass of water spilled over 

^’OU.” 

‘^Are you so cursedly — ” 

“ Do not interrupt me, but consider what a position 
you would have placed us all in, if you had been 
allowed to continue to tell aunt all the silly things you 
had on your tongue. She would first have been 
offended, and that with reason ; then she would have 
got angry with Lisbeth and me without reason ; after 
that we would all of us have had herring and potatoes 
for breakfast, salt meat for dinner, and mush for sup- 
per. Your indigestion would have returned and with 
it your cranky disposition. Elias would have had 
another attack of infiammation of the lungs, the 
notary’s throat would have swelled, and Thure’s eyes 
begun to run. Lisbeth and I would have become pil- 
lars of salt. Aunt herself would never more have 
regained her good humor, and Ekholmen would have 
become intolerable. Well, do you not think that my 
cup of coffee saved us all ? So look out, uncle, that 
I do not spoil one pair of pantaloons a day.” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


29 


“ But do yon know, Karin, it seems to me that this 
goes too far?” said Wikstrand, in a tone which indi- 
cated how hard it was for him to keen from lan^hino. 

“ I think so too ; it does indeed go too far, when yon 
reproach your younger sister for her age and hei 
unmarried state. Just as if you were a youth or a 
married man. Besides, I will say, that it is by no 
means a virtue to be young. One is only a thought- 
less fool, like the undersigned. If I were a man, 1 
would certainly prefer aunt to Broken Karin Ileldener, 
with her frowsy hair.” 

Karin is a nice girl after all,” thought Johanna, 
and she went out to give her orders for dinner. 

Shortly afterwards the judge was heard calling the 
young gentlemen, who were compelled to desist froni^ 
the pleasure of keeping company with Lisbeth, as it 
was time to go to work. 

From that day Johanna was good-will itself toward 
Karin ; completely overlooked the young girl’s often 
unpardonable negligence, still more unpardonable dis- 
inclination for work, and covetousness for everything 
that could be turned into money. She let her go 
wherever she chose, and showed no displeasure when 
Karin, for whole days, did not do a single useful thing , 
but it did provoke her that Lisbeth worked constantly 
and was always well dressed. Lisbeth looked like an 
ideal of domesticity, when she sat so diligently at her 
work, and this Johanna could not endure. 


CHAPTEK lY. 



ETEP the day when Elias showed aunt 
Johanna the in justice of cherishing ill-will 
toward the girls, and Karin threatened the 
judge with coffee, gravy, or water in case he 
was impolite to his sister, weeks elapsed, during which 
Johanna and the girls were obliged to do without the 
gentlemens’ society. 

The regular court and several extra cases succeeding 
each other, so took up the time of Wikstrand and his 
three assistants, that they were only visible at meals. 

The ladies also, during the whole month of October, 
had been occupied with household cares. Johanna 
was, in spite of her childish vanity, a capable woman, 
and was known throughout the district as a model 
housekeeper. Lisbeth and Karin had from childhood 
been accustomed to cook, bake, and help in various 
ways. It never entered their minds to get rid of the 
little services they could do, but they worked very 
zealously. Strange to say, Karin then laid aside her 
negligence and showed activity and smartness in her 
occupations. Johanna was not able to find fault with 
her, even if she had wished to ever so much. 

During the autumn operations this year, Johanna 
30 


LITTLE KARIN 


31 


was umisually gentle, even towards Lisbeth, who was 
generally accustomed to get scolded for all that 
she did, however irreproachable it might be. At pre- 
vious seasons the hottest battles had been waged 
between Johanna and Lisbeth; this year everything 
went peaceably and properly. Lisbeth was not found 
fault with, but neither did she receive any praise. 
Karin on the other hand received it in rich measure. 
The light-hearted young girl then smiled, shook her 
frizzly head and whispered to her sister : 

“ What wonders an upset colfee-cup can effect. 

The large fall baking was ended. 

Lisbeth stood in the bake-house, putting the cakes 
and biscuit into large tin boxes, when the door opened 
and Elias put in his head. 

“ May one make a call V’ asked he. 

Lisbeth blushed, and gave her consent through an 
inclination of ther head. 

The young notary stepped bravely in, and closed the 
door after him. 

It was the first time since his return that Lisbeth 
and he were alone. 

“How cursedly becoming (to express myself in 
uncle’s style) that white cap and the large white apron 
are to you, my dear Lisbeth ; I have certainly never 
seen you so pretty, not even in the most elegant party 
attire. You would be a very charming wife.” 

Elias stood close to Lisbeth, by the large table cov- 
ered with cakes. 

“Was it to tell me this, that you came here ?” asked 
Lisbeth in a saucy tone. 

“Hot precisely, but when I saw you in that domes- 
tic costume, I happened to remember my last fiame, 


32 


LITTLE KARIN. 


the prettiest maiden in the whole l^orway.” Elias 
took a great handful of the daintiest cakes, and stuffed 
them in his mouth. 

“Ah indeed, you had a flame in I^’orway also said 
Lisbeth in a voice as if this did not altogether please 
her. 

“Yes ma’am, and a real big flame in the bargain. 
You must know, Lisbeth, it went hard on a poor 
fellow to lose her; but you shall hear all about it, 
when we can get a quiet hour ; then I will relate to 
you my love adventure.” Elias again stufied a hand- 
ful of cakes in his mouth. 

- “Elias, it won’t do for you to eat up our best cakes,” 
said Lisbeth impatiently. “ You have now in one 
moment consumed more than a dozen ladies would 
have,..eaten at a tea-party.” 

“ What, Lisbeth, have you, too, become stingy ? 
Will you not grant me the privilege of tasting the 
’work of your hands?” The third handful was cram- 
med into Elias’ mouth. 

“Do you think that can be called tasting ? It seems 
to me, that it is more like devouring.” Lisbeth made 
haste to put in the best cakes, as she added, “ If you 
don’t intend to eat yourself sick from our baking, I 
advise you to take biscuits ; they suffice better, when 
one is hungi’y.” 

Elias burst into a laugh. 

“ You grant me nothing. When I was in love with 
you, you would not grant me your heart and hand. 
When I go away, from sorrow over your cmelty, and 
am fortunate enough to fall in love with a Horv’^egian 
girl, you take ofi'ense at it. When I, after several 
weeks’ tedious writing on trial reports, etc., wish to 


LITTLE KARIN. 


33 


recruit myself with little cakes, you are so heartless, 
that you refuse me even this. Confess, Lisheth, that 
you are cruel to me.” 

“ Perhaps ; but my cruelty has at least not grieved 
you especially.” 

‘‘Do you desire it to have the same effect as your 
mitten ?” 

“ That you take cold ?” replied Lisheth ; “ that will 
not be so easy now, when you have warmed yourself 
up so thoroughly in I^orway.” 

“ I hope so too,” said Elias, laughing, and now I 
wdll inform you, that sKe^ who possesses my heart, is 
like — Karin.” 

•‘Very flattering to my sister,” retorted Lisheth. 
“ You have at all events a happy faculty of loving and 
forgetting, and then loving again.” 

“ Yes, God be praised, otherwise it would have 
been extremely deplorable. Think if I were obliged 
to go and sigh for you all my life, you, the most unre- 
lenting of all unrelenting women. But you see, my dear 
Lisheth, there is a certain faithfulness in my nature, 
as J fell in love with Matea because she was like your 
sister. ‘ One in all and all in one,’ that saying can be 
applied to the undersigned. Matea is Karin, but 
Karin is not Matea, for then I should love Karin too, 
and that would be too much love, and now I will take 
the last taste of your excellent cakes.” 

While he w^as munching the cakes a pause ensued. 

“How has aunt behaved during the time I have 
been engaged in my delightful duties as recorder?” 
asked Elias. 

“ So agreeably, that I cannot recollect ever having 
seen her so before.” 

2 '^ 


34 


LITTLE KARIN. 


“Good! then she shall have her recompense this 
very evening. When we are gathered in the sitting- 
room, I will treat her to an extra pleasure.” 

“ And in what will it consist V’ 

“ In an account of my Norwegian love-experience. 
Well, Lisheth, don’t you think it will he enjoyable 

“ I have no fancy for love stories ; but still I will 
listen to yours for the sake of politeness.” 

“Much obliged,” returned Elias, smiling. “You, 
Lisbeth, only regard love as a bait to catch us poor 
fools ; but think if the little rogue took revenge on 
you, and you became deadly in love with a man, who 
had already given away his heart.” 

Lisbeth smiled presumptuously and looked at Elias, 
who thereupon declared that she ought not to be too 
sure, notwithstanding she was a little witch. Then 
he put his arm about her waist and danced around the 
room with her. 

“ Think if aunt Johanna should see this,” exclaimed 
Karin, who came rushing in. “ There would be an 
end of all her good humor. Go immediately, Elias, 
that I tell you, for aunt will be angry wuth Lisbeth, if 
she finds you here.” 

. “ Will she ?” said Elias, dropping Lisbeth and taking 
hold of Karin, whom he whirled round so violently, 
that a whole lot of cakes were swept down on the 
floor and broken all to bits. At this sound Elias 
flung Karin from him, rushed out, but met Johanna 
in the passage, as she was coming in with a basket full 
of cakes and biscuits. 

“ Is that you, aunt ? and I, who have been looking 
for you all over, have been scolded by the girls because I 
dared to peep into this room. It is a real joy to meet 


LITTLE KARIN. 


35 


you at last and see your benignant countenance, now 
that there is the hope of enjoying it for some time. I 
mean to have it right pleasant here at home with you, 
when we resume our reading in the evening.” 

He seized his aunt around the waist and whirled her 
at such a rate that several of the cakes hopped from 
the basket ; when this was accomplished, he let go of 
her, and began to pick up the pieces of broken cakes. 

Johanna laughed. In the meantime the girls had 
removed all traces of the havoc Elias had caused. 

When the girls that evening went to their room, 
Lisbeth said : 

Do you know, Karin, Elias has fallen in love with 
a Norwegian girl 

“ He did right in that respect,” answered Karin. 

“ His love for me was thus not worth much.” . 

Thank God for that, as you do not wish to have 
him.” 

‘‘ But it provokes me !” 

‘‘ Just as with aunt Johanna, when the gentlemen 
pay you compliments. You will become like her, 
dear Lisbeth. Live and dream of the uncaught Thure. 
He is a sharp individual, who has withstood all your 
seductive arts.” 


CHAPTEE Y. 



"'ilE next evening all the members of the 
family were assembled in the fine, large sit- 
ting-room. A cheerful fire blazed on the 
hearth and around the centre-table sat Johanna, 
the girls, and the three notaries. The judge sat in an 
easj-chair by the fire-place, taken up with the news- 
papers, which lay on a table beside him. 

Constantin had been commissioned by Lisbeth to 
draw'a pattern, and Thure was helping her to assort 
beads, which were to be used in embroidery. 

Johanna cast threatening glances upon the young 
men and the beautiful girl, and jested, over the for- 
mer’s burning zeal to be useful in leisure moments, 
and Lisbeth’s ability to occupy herself and others with 
trifles. 

The skirmishes between her and Lisbeth were in a 
fair way of being renewed, when Elias broke in quite 
abruptly, saying: 

“ W ell, aunt, how is it, shall we have any reading 
this evening?” 

Johanna looked at her nephew with her fine eyes, 
smiled mildly and said : 

“ It is good that you reminded me of it ; I would 
not miss that pleasure for the world.” 

36 


LITTLE KARIN. 


37 


If tliere is to be any reading, I will be on band,” 
exclaimed Karin, keeping the chair still, in which she 
rocked herself and her inactivity. 

It will not do, dear Karin, readings are not for 
children and idlers, but for wise and sensible people,” 
declared Elias, laughing. 

But one tells stories to children and cunning little 
creatures,” replied Karin. ‘‘You ought to be laden 
with such, you, who have been staying in Korway, 
where the people live on stories.” 

“ I do not know any stories to amuse children with,” 
answered Elias, “ and even if I did, I would not relate 
them.” 

“ And why not ?” asked Karin, as she took a more 
comfortable position in the rocking-chair. 

Elias looked at her and smiled, but said nothing. 

“Do you wish me to say why you will not do 
it?” inquired Karin, stroking her hands over her 
unruly hair. 

“ Let’s hear.” 

“ You think now, as you have always thought, that 
I am lazy ; you would like to begin to play instructor 
again, and in order to punish my laziness, you with- 
hold your stories. Elias, it is no use,, I will be none 
the more industrious because you do not entertain me ; 
neither do I consider that I am performing any more 
service if I embroider with beads, than if I do noth- 
ing. Besides, it seems to me that you are very impo- 
lite to me ; further, that Lisbeth is no more useful 
than I, and that your stories neither work for nor 
against my improvement.” 

Elias admitted that Karin was right; she was unim- 
provable and always would be. Thure looked at Karin 


38 


LITTLE K..RIN. 


with an expression as if lie had intended to say some- 
thing scathing, hut contented himself with letting his 
eyes speak. Karin did not perceive his glance. 

“ I suppose I shall be forced to make up with you, 
Karin,” resumed Elias, moving his chair quite near 
the young girl’s. 

“ Of course you will. It would be very strange if 
you should not do all that I wish you to.” 

“ Certainly ; but you must first tell me whether you 
are angry with me.” 

“ A little, but not to any dangerous extent. If you 
tell me a nice story, then — you will have my forgive- 
ness.” With grave seriousness Karin offered her hand 
to Elias, as if to have it kissed. Elias pressed upon it 
such a loud kiss, that aunt Johanna exclaimed : 

“ What improper joke are you up to now, Karin ?” 

Lisbeth’s two cavaliers just then rushed head first 
under the table to pick up something she had drop- 
ped, and Karin burst out laughing. 

She fiew up from the rocking-chair, sprang forward 
to Johanna, and said : 

Dear aunt, he only kissed me on the hand ; it is 
royal to allow hand-kissing. Aunt is certainly not 
angry with my majesty 

‘‘ Dear Karin, I confess that—” 

notarv’s vaulting under 
the table laughable,” interrupted Karin, merrily. ‘^Yes, 
1 too. Lisbeth looks as if an earthquake had scat- 
tered her beads. Just think, dear aunt, when a kiss 
on the hand can cause so great a commotion, what 
will a kiss on the mouth do ?” 

Elias and Karin laughed and their merriment was 
so contPgious that Johanna had to join in it; something 


LITTLE KARIN. 


39 


whicli she did with all her heart, when she observed 
that the annoyed Lisbeth snubbed Kotli and gave 
Thure an indignant flush ; Thure, who this evening, 
for the flrst time, had dared to occupy himself with 
any one but Johanna. 

Karin bent down over her sister’s beads and said : 

‘‘How many were lost, in consequence of Elias’ 
hand-kissing ?” 

Lisbeth jumbled the beads together and answered 
in a spiteful tone : 

“ When persons are unoccupied, they always make 
mischief.” 

“ Especially when they take their highest delight 
in it,” remarked Thure. 

“ In being unoccupied, I suppose you mean ?” asked 
Karin, looking at him with a provokingly saucy mien. 

“Ko, in making mischief.” 

“Do not say that, Thure, for then Lisbeth may 
think that you sympathize so deeply in her bead mis- 
fortune that you are therefore vexed at me. Is your 
pattern done, Constantin?” added Karin, bending 
down over Eoth’s drawing. “ Far from it, I perceive. 
That is a pity ; the pattern will be ‘ dreadfully ’ liand- 
some, as can be seen from what is already done.” ^ 

Constantin looked at Karin with an irate expression, 
and Lisbeth exclaimed petulantly:^ ^ 

“ This evening you are more irritating than usual. 

“I agree with you there,” muttered Thure. 

“And the notary too?” said Karin, turning to Con- 
stantin, who responded to the question with a mute 
bow of the head. 

“ Well, then I will flee to Elias, and he must relate 
a story in order to cheer you up, my friends. 


40 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Karin threw herself down in the rocking-chair and 
Johanna said, addressing Elias : 

‘‘Yon can tell ns something abont yonr journey. 
Lisbeth will then be spared from further annoyance 
from Karin, throngh improper intrnsions npon her 
domain.’’ 

“ My domain, annt, what can that be f ’ Lisbeth 
gave Johanna a challenging look. 

The gauntlet was thrown for a war of words, and 
it only depended npon whether it would be taken np, 
for one of those sharp battles to be waged, which 
before the girls’ departnre, had been to the order 
of the day. 

This time Elias stepped between, and declared that 
he felt stimnlated to edify the company with his Nor- 
wegian love story. 

Lisbeth bent down over her beads, Johanna resnmed 
her work, and Karin leaned back in her rocking-chair, 
exclaiming : 

“ Tims it is the story of yonr heart that yon intend 
to entertain ns with. To me it will be as instrnctive 
as an nnkriown subject, and I promise yon my nndi- 
vided attention ; that is, if your heart’s story is inter- 
esting, but you will have my eternal disfavor if it is 
tedious.” 

“ It is entertaining, Karin, the heroine is like yon.” 

Karin laughed, and Johanna admonished Elias to 
cease his nonsense and begin his narrative. 

“Very well, I will obey, and transport yon all on 
board the steamboat which goes from Christiana to 
Dramraen. Yes, my friends, it was a fine, though 
somewhat windy June morning, when I and my trav- 
eliug companion started for 33rammen. It was with 


LITTLE KARIN, 


41 


regret that I left Christiana, where I had enjoyed it 
hugely, experienced much hospitality, and made 
acquaintance with cheerful, sturdy hlorwegians and 
pretty maidens. The boat was full of passengers. 
Norwegian was spoken there wherever I turned, hut 
also English. We had Englishmen and Americans on 
the journey. I was just admiring Christiana fiord^ 
with its frame-work of pine-clad hills and innumerahle 
islands, when the sound of native tones met my ear. 
A Swede was on hoard, and what was more, this 
Swede spoke. I turned round immediately and saw 
an officer of the Swedish navy whom I knew hy sight. 

“ I must confess that I doubt if he was aware who t 
was. He did not devote the slightest attention to me, 
for he was entirely taken up with two young girls. If 
I tell you that it was Lieutenant there are none 

of the ladies who knoAV him ; but Thure, uncle, and 
Loth are fully cognizant of the fact that he resembles 
the butterfly on Lisbeth’s pattern. That is to say, he 
lias a butterfly’s nature and is reckoned among the gay 
ones of the land. He catches joy, wherever it is to be 
found, without reflecting whether his joy costs others 
tears. 

The Lieutenant was engaged in a very lively chat, 
and as he did not interest me I took the two young 
ladies in contemplation. One of them was a stately 
blonde, of classic beauty , cold, measured and stiff in her 
manner. The other had frizzly hair, like you, Karin, 
but was prettier and had .more regular features ; a 
mouth, which constantly smiled, like Karin’s, and a 
pair of eyes, just as full of frolic as Karin’s. She was 
cliarmantP I 

‘‘Just like Karin,” interrupted the latter, putting 


42 


LITTLE KARIN. 


her head on one side, with a self-satisfied air. 

“She was more elegant and less wayward,” said 
Elias ; “ 1 had not looked at her many minutes, before 
I was deeply interested ; I burned with the desire to 
^ be introduced.” 

' * “ Just as you would liave done if it had been I,” 
observed Karin. 

“ True, but it was next to impossible, however, to 
have this desire gratified, as long as the Lieutenant 
remained at her side. He was exclusively engrossed 
in the conversation with the little curly-head, and she 
not the less in him. They had no need of any more 
company than each other.” 

■ “ That is like Thure and me. When we are alone 

together, we have enough of each other,” exclaimed 
Karin, nodding significantly at Thure. 
i “Do not interrupt Ellas,” said Johanna, who in her 
heart thought that Karin was more than allowably 
free and therefore considered it her duty to rebuke 
her — especially as it always displeased Johanna that 
“ the girl ” joked with Thure. 

, “ I will keep still and quiet,” answered Karin. 

Elias resumed ; 

) “ The more I saw how interested she was by the 
navy officer, the more enraged I became and the sweet- 
er I found her. I promenaded back and forth past 
the speakers, but did not get as much as a glance, not- 
withstanding her stiff friend gave me several. I heard 
the Lieutenant pay the little curly -head compliment 
upon compliment. She smiled, she laughed, she was 
delighted j the lively eyes gave smiling answers to the 
polite language.” 

“Did the eyes answer?” interrupted the incorrigi- .|| 


LITTLE KARIN. 


43 


ble Karin. How is that done added she, with the 
most innocent look in the world. 

“ The little simpleton,” exclaimed the judge ; “ only 
look at the notaries, when they have been warmed up 
by Lisbeth, and it will be clear to you how it is to an- 
swer with the eyes. For that matter, I suppose you' 
saw Elias when he was at his worst stage. Think of 
his eyes then, and you will comprehend that eyes can 
speak.” 

‘‘Ko, uncle, I do not comprehend it. Elias looked 
sleepy when he looked at Lisbeth.” 

The judge and Elias laughed, and Johanna declared 
that it was intolerable when Karin began with her 
stupidity, and Lisbeth considered it abominable in her 
sister to play naive. 

Karin laid her hands over her lips and Elias re- 
sumed : 

At length we reached Drammen and there, at the 
first landing, the Lieutenant rose and bade the young 
girls farewell. He held the curly-head’s hands in his, 
and looked into her eyes, while he declared in the 
most earnest tone, that he hoped within a few weeks 
to have the great joy of seeing her again under bright- 
er and happier conditions. 

‘ The recollection of this short, agreeable journey, 
will remain indelibly imprinted in my memory,’ 
said the scoundrel. 

“ The curly-head smiled and blushed. I even think 
a tear glistened in her eye. Once more he bowed, 
and,* as I suppose, pressed her hand again; then he 
hastened away to the fore part of the boat, took his 
luggage and went ashore. 

‘‘The infatuated maiden approached the guard, in the 


- 


LITTLE KARIN. 


4-i 

liope tliat lie would send a last greeting. To her 
proud companion, she said : 

“ ‘ The Swedes are very engaging, they have much 
more agreeable manners than the ^Norwegians.’ 

“The answer escaped me ; my attention was fastened 
upon Lieutenant * * who with his portmanteki in 
his hand, and a man who carried his trunk, hurried • 
from the boat, without casting a glance back or even ; 
taking off his hat. The young girl. In whom he had , 
appeared so deeply interested a few moments before, , 
now seemed forgotten. She, the poor child, stood ! 
there, and looked after her fast retreating chevalier, | 
with an expression of disappointed hope, which show- 
ed that his neglect pained her. i 

“Her traveling companion smiled unobserved ; a smile ■ 
full of exultation, so it appeared to me. This roused j 
my resentment, especially as the charming little curly- 
head raised her handkerchief to her eyes. ; \ 

“The steam-boat put off again from land. This seem- 
ed to be a hard problem to solve for the helmsman 
and captain, for it was some time before we succeeded 
in getting started again. Mean w] die we had the edifi- 
cation of seeing the Lieutenant step into a chaise, at- ■ 
tend to his effects and drive off, without once looking 
over to the steamboat. 

“A breeze just then swept by us, and suddenly lifted 
the straw hat from the little curly head. The liat 
would surely have been carried beyond the vessel’s ' 
limits, had I not grabbed hold of it. "With the fly- 
away in my hand I presented myself to its captivating 
owner.” 

“ That is to say, you caught your happiness on the 
wing,” said Karin. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


45 


‘‘ Precisely ; and I can assure you that my joy was 
very great, when the fair Norwegian maiden thanked 
me. W ith much zeal I endeavored to hold fast to the 
good fortune of which I had so unexpectedly come in 
possession. I made myself as amiable as stood in my 
power. Encouraged by her favorable opinion of the 
Swedes, I said all manner of fine things about her 
countrymen, and in tliis way we got into a very enter- 
taining conversation.” 

‘‘How do you know that it was entertaining?” ask- 
ed Karin. “ Who told you so ?” 

“My own judgment.” 

“A conceited judgment, which I for my part dis- 
trust. You were decidedly tedious, and I see that 
Lisbeth is of the same opinion.” 

Johanna now lost patience and said that Karin was 
like a troublesome fly, v/hich buzzes incessantly around 
a person’s ears, disturbing his comfort and hindering 
him from thinking upon the subject in hand. The 
comparison won the young men’s applause, so that 
they laughed heartily — something they never allowed 
themselves to do when Johanna’s wit was directed 
against the beautiful Lisbeth. Karin had been so 
tantalizing, that it was a consolation to take revenge 
on her. 

Karin did not laugh, but she looked at those 
who did with an expression, which plainly said : 

“ You will have to pay up for that.”^ 

Lisbeth’s mouth did not twitch either, and Elias 
went on with his story : 

“ In short, my conversation diverted her, and when 
we stopped at the last landing in Drammen, I found 
it very dismal to be compelled to break oif the acquaint- 

I 


1 


46 


LITTLE KARIN. 


ance so pleasantly begun, and to desist from my pur- 
pose of trying to obliterate the impression the Lieu- 
tenant bad made. I rose, and was deliberating just 
bow I should ascertain where my new acquaintances 
were going, so as to shape my course accordingly, 
when the proud blonde inquired : 

‘‘ ‘Do you intend to stay in Drammen ? ’ 

“ ‘ This was not my intention,' I replied, ‘ but if I 
can be of any service to you in Drammen, ladies, I can 
just as well stay here a day or two, as I am only trav- 
eling for pleasure.’ 

“‘We are much obliged to you for this politeness, 
but we are going to take the train to Eensfjorden and 
thence to our home in Hadeland,’ answered the proud 
one. 

“I was delighted ; Hadeland was just where I intended 
to go ; we would consequently make the journey 
together. I immediately placed myself at their dispo- 
sal and offered to attend to their baggage, etc., which 
small services they accepted, after introducing them- 
selves as the Misses W eldner 

“ ‘So they are sisters,’ thought I. 

“It was three o’clock in the afternoon when we left 
the steam-boat and the train was not to leave until 
half past hve. Two hours and a half to see the city 
together, thought I, but this hope was not fulhlled. 
I had to amuse myself with going about alone. The 
elder, that is to say, the proud one, entrusted me with 
their baggage, but after that they bade me adieu. 
They were to visit an aunt, and we would ineet again 
at the depot. 

“ I strolled around Drammen, found the city hand- 
some, with well planned streets and an extremely 


LITTLE KARIN. 


47 


romantic situation. The high, green hills formed the 
back-ground and the bay tilled with islands the fore- 
ground of the picture. 

‘‘Punctually at a quarter past five I was in the wait- 
ing-room. 

“The tickets were bought, the baggage checked; 
everything was ready and the hand of the clock 
approached the half hour, and yet my traveling com- 
panions did not make their appearance. Would the 
young ladies be too late and leave me with the three 
tickets and the checks for their trunks, without know- 
ing where I should find them ? The door of the wait- 
ing-room was opened, the bell rang, but iio young 
ladies were to be seen. I stood in the door, which led 
to the platform. The conductor began to look at the 
tickets, and I, I began to despair, when to my inex- 
pressible joy the two girls came running up all out of 
breath. They had taken their time, and then had to 
run the whole distance. 

“ In a trice we were up in a compartment, and the 
next instant the train was set in motion. 

“ It was a pleasant journey 

“ W e passed through beautiful, romantic regions ; 
everywhere high hills covered with verdure, glittering 
streams with occasional water-falls, and here and there 
in the distance a snow-capped mountain lifted its 
white crest above the lower pine-clad hills. 

“I w^as delighted with the grand scenery of the coun- 
try and I also expressed my delight. My traveling 
companions smiled with satisfaction. They were 
proud of their beautiful fatherland, and the elder 
declared positively that jN’orway was the loveliest land 
in the world. 


48 


LITTLE KARIN. 


‘ And tlie Swedes the pleasantest people/ added 
little curly -head, bending forward and looking out of 
the car window. 

“ ‘Especially are tlie officers of the Swedish l^avy 
interesting cavaliers,’ remarked I inconsiderately. 

“The elder smiled in an irritating maimer and little 
curlj^-head leaned still further forward. 

“At nine o’clock in tlie evening we came to Eamsjo, 
the last station on that road. 

“A tine carriage was waiting near by and an elderly 
gentleman, with a large, robust frame, fresh face, and 
handsome Avhite teeth, stood on the platform to receive 
my companions. 

“‘My father, Ilerr Weldner,’ introduced the elder 
of the young ladies. “ ‘Herr Wikstrand,’ added she, 
pointing to me. 

“With the greatest cordiality, the old gentleman 
shook hands with me, welcomed me to Horway and 
made several inquiries concerning my journey, etc., 
which resulted in his inviting me to stay at his house 
during the time I remained in ITadeland, an invitation j 
I would have gratefully accepted, had I not already ] 

telegraphed to uncle’s good friend, M- , who’ ' 

resides in the vicinity of the glass manufactory of I 
Iladeland, that I would come to him, bringing warm 
greetings from old Sweden. I had scarcely time to 

give this explanation, when I saw M ’s friendly 

face; he was just stepping out of the station-house. 
He came to see whether I w^as on the train, and in 
that case take me to his home. 

“Herr Weldner and he were good friends and hear ; 
neighbors. After a few more words, 1 was obliged to 
say good-by to my traveling companions, after I had 


LITTLE KARIN. 


49 


helped them and their papa into the carriage. All 
three called to me, as the carriage drove off, that I 
must soon come to Wellerud, their countrv-seat. 

‘'When they left, M and I remained standing a 

few minutes to view the landscape before we went 

further. M , who had lived there sixteen years, 

was anxious that I should have a favorable impression 
of the place. 

“ It deserved to be surveyed. The spot ^here we 
stood, lay high above \h^jiord^ and on the other side of 
this, down in a valley and close by the shore, was a large 
glass manufactory with its dwellings, store-houses, 
sheds, finishing rooms, etc. This was a point where 
human perseverance, industry and the spirit of improve- 
ment had established themselves and erected their 
temple, in the shape of work-sh.ops, without regard to 
whether these buildings were in harmony with the 
surrounding nature. Use, not beauty, was here the 
law. The manufactory itself presented nothing but a 
collection of buildings ; but the frame, in which these 
were enclosed, had been so beautifully designed by the 
great Master that it afforded the eye something truly 
grand. 

“ Behind the manufactory rose a richly wooded 
hill, at the base of which, down in the dale, a lovely 
grove spread itself, like a soft carpet for the feet of the 
hill to rest upon. Back of this hill a still higher one 
appeared and then another, which stood there like a 
guard to the smaller ones. To the left, on a grassy 
knoll, were three new buildings in Swiss style ; these, 
M informed me, were new abodes for the opera- 

tives belonging to the manufactory ; still further away 
to the left, near the banks of fiord, surrounded by 
3 


50 


LITTLE KARIN. 


luxuriant trees, was a country-seat, which, seen from 
the place where we stood, had an exceedingly attrac- 
tive appearance. Behind it again rose a dark wall of 
magnificent mountains, which like giant arms enclosed 
Kensfjorden. The pretty residence on the banks of 
fiord was called Thorbjornerud and was occupied 
by the father of the proprietor of the manufactory. 
It was a fine IS^orwegian home, as delightful in its 
interior, as glorious in its situation. I shall never for- 
get this home, where I enjoyed true I^orwegian hos- 
pitality and where I met a lovely old couple and a 
richly endowed daughter ; but further particulars will 
be given in the book of travels I intend to publish.” 

“ Good gracious, Elias ! shaU you also write a book 
of travels interrupted Karin. “That it will be miser- 
able, I tell you beforehand. I advise you by all means 
not to make yourself ridiculous. Just consider that 
Lea, Sehlstedt, Bichard Gustafsson, Ho dell, and sev- 
eral truly witty and gifted authors, have shown us 
how traveling sketches ought to be written ; you would 
come, to give proof of how they ought not to be writ- 
ten.” 

“ Your opinion of my ability as an author is not 
very great, I perceive,” replied Elias, laughing, “ but 
I shall certainly convince you that you do it injustice.” 

“That will be pretty difficult,” said Johanna, “espec- 
ially as Karin has this evening shown us that she has 
no judgment at all. I advise you therefore, Elias, not 
to let the little buzzing fly disturb you henceforth, but 
continue without taking any notice of it.” 

“Just as if he could,” murmured Karin, smiling. 
“ Go on, dear Elias,” added she graciously, “ and if 
you have lost the thread, I will mention that we left 


LITTLE KARIN. 


61 


off at Thorbjoniernd, wlien you threatened us with a 
hook of travels. Let us now get rid of standing there 
before the station-house and contemplating a land- 
scape, which we do not see, and you cannot describe. 
Transport yourself instead up in Herr M ’s car- 

riage and drive to his home. How does it look 

“ Extremely comfortable. His wife is one of those 
women, in whose face one can read goodness and 
purity of heart at the first glance. She welcomed me 
with a cordiality, which immediately said that she 
would treat me as a friend. 

‘‘Their house was also by the fiord^ but lacked all 
the embellishing elements, which trees, shrubs and 
green grass bestow. A little plot that was laid out, 
however, promised shade and rest for the eyes in the 
future. The want of beauty in the j)lace itself, was 
compensated by the most splendid views over the 
fiord. One could sit by the window and look dream- 
ily over the sparkling water to the beautiful heights 
and dales beyond, dotted with habitations here and 
there, one higher than the other, according to the un- 
dulations of the ground, and all sheltered by the hills. 
But that reminds me, Karin did not admire my de- 
scriptions of nature ; I must thus spare them until I 
write my reminiscences.” 

“ Much obliged,” exclaimed Karin, but added noth- 
ing further. She met a glance from Johanna, which 
said it was not advisable for her to irritate her aunt 
any longer. 

“ The first evening in Hadeland was so agreeable 
that I went to sleep with a feeling that I would have 
an exceedingly pleasant time. I had gained various 
items of information concerning my traveling compan- 


52 


LITTLE KARIN. 


ions, wliicli pleased me much. It seemed that the tall, 
slender, proud girl was Herr Wei dner’s daughter, and 
called Elvira. The curly-head on the contrary was 
his niece, and was only going to stay a short time with 
her uncle, after which she would return to Christiana. 

My resolution was taken. I would not take the 
trip to Hardanger, as I intended, but prepared to stay 
where I was, as my amiable host and hostess invited 
me to prolong my visit. When little curly-head, 
Frdken Matea Weldner, went back to Christiana, I 
would offer to become her escort. That was a lucky 
thought. 

“ So I remained with the M — ’s. The next day we 
paid a visit to Herr Weldner, to the owner of the 
manufactory, and Thorbjornerud. We then went to 
the parsonage, where I made the acquaintance of the 
most delightful pastor’s family 1 ever met with. I 
have never, and may never again, see a handsomer, 
more dignified and more cultivated man than the pas- 
tor of Gevenager. His appearance was imjDosing. 
The rich silver hair surrounded a head of ideal beau- 
ty. Tall, slight, and straight as a pine, he moved 
with the sprightliness of a young man, in the full 
vigor of his manhood. His wdfe was an extremely 
charming old lady, mild and gentle as a spring eve- 
ning, with unmistakable traces of rare beauty. Still, 
all this belongs to my reminiscences and not to my 
love story. 

‘‘ For four weeks I remained in M — ’s comfortable 
home. 

Even if my interest for little curly-head had not ex- 
isted, I would have remained with pleasure with our 
country-man and separated from him with regret. He 


LITTLE KAPJN. 


53 


is a cultivated and enlightened man^ by nature endow- 
ed with an uncommonly clear and sharp judgment 
and a rare ability to reason upon all important, ques- 
tions. In him I had the most agreeable society. Fru 
M — was a sweet, mild, devoted woman, whose whole 
life consisted of a single loving sacrifice for husband 
and children. Three joyous, lively children, well de- 
veloped in body and soul, completed the group of do- 
mestic happiness and home comfort which M — ’s fam- 
ily presented. 

I enjoyed it exceedingly among F’orway’ shills and 
woods ; I breathed in health and happiness with full 
draughts by the beautiful Daily was I with my 

two traveling companions ; I succeeded in so interest- 
ing them, that even Froken Elvira became accessible. 
In the course of four weeks I had forgotten my form- 
er fancy, and was head and ears in love with klatea. 
It is true M — warned me, saying : 

‘ Take care not to fall in love with Matea IFcldner, 
for they say that her heart is already given away.’ 

I smiled at the warning. The charming little cur- 
ly-head was altogether too enlivened by my society 
for me to suppose that she had a warmer interest for 
any other man than your humble servant. 

‘‘ When M — the second time came to me with warn- 
ings, I became slightly provoked, and resolved at the 
first suitable opportunity to tell Matea that she and no 
other possessed my whole heart, that I adored her and 
wished to marry her.” 

“ That went pretty fast,” observed Lisbeth spite- 
fully. 

After four weeks daily intercourse, Elias had sure- 
ly become sufficiently well acquainted with her to pro- 


64 : 


LITTLE KARIN. 


pose,” declared Jolianna, and added with a contempt- 
uous smile, Perhaps you hoped that Elias’ illness had 
so affected liim^ that he would not for several years 
regain his tension of mind so far as to he able to fall 
in love with a girl. This would have been romantic, 
it is true, but not in accordance with reality.” 

‘‘You know a cursed lot too much” — the judge 
checked himself abruptly, for by his side stood Karin, 
holding a glass of water in her hand. She raised it in 
a threatening manner over his pantaloons. Instead 
of finishing his sentence, Wikstrand said to Karin : 

Here with that glass of water, j^ou little imp. That 
is cursedly smart in you, but just wait.” 

Karin gave him the glass, laughed heartily, and re- 
turned to the rocking-chair. Elias was directed to con- 
tinue his narrative. 

“ A few days elapsed, however, during which I did 
not go to the Weldners. M — and I went hunting and 
did not return for five days. The day after our return 
I called at Wellerud. 

I entered the spacious and airy sitting-room, where 
I found Eru Weldner and Froken Elvira. Matea was 
not to be seen. 

“ A whole hour elapsed, during which we chatted 
about the hunt, the region I had rambled through and 
the lovely prospect from the windows. Ko Matea 
appeared. Elvira looked at me with a mischievous 
expression, when I every now and then, at the least 
sound of steps, turned round to see whether the adored 
object would enter. At last, after I had been torment- 
ed for sixty long minutes, I could not stand it another 
instant, but asked Fru Weldner how Eroken Matea 
was. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


55 


“ ‘ I suppose she is now better than she has been for 
the last two years ; she went home yesterday to Chris- 
tiana.’ 

“ ‘Has she gone V exclaimed I, with all the pathos 
of sui’prise and disappointment, which an unhappy 
lover could evince. “ ‘ Why this sudden departure V I 
added. 

“ ‘ Because in eight or at the most fourteen days she 
is going to celebrate her wedding,’ answered Elvira, 
handing me a bottle of cologne. ‘ Smell of this, then 
you will not faint. Mother is commissioned to invite 
you and the M — ’s to attend the wedding. You will 
certainly give my cousin the joy of your presence 
upon this important and joyful occasion ?’ 

“ ‘Be present at her wedding ! her, whom I worshiped ! 
It seemed to me impossibla I did not answer. I 
took my hat and bade the ladies adieu.” 

“You were of course mortally* wounded in the 
heart,” said Lisbeth ; “ you would never more regain 
your stolen peace, your belief in happiness or your gay 
and cheerful disposition ; is it not so T 

“ Precisely,” replied Elias, looking at the beautiful 
girl with a mocking air. “ I was in despair.” 

“ I suppose you went hunting again ?” said Karin. 

“ And caught cold ?” added Thure. 

“ Ko, I did not go hunting, neither did I catch cold ; 
but I pursued my way until I reached M — ’s abode. 
With downcast head and eyes fastened upon the 
ground, I entered my friend’s presence. 

“ ‘ How is it,’ cried he, ‘ have you already heard the 
news about Froken Matea V 

“ I looked up. Our eyes met, and I could not re- 
frain from — laughing aloud.” 


56 


LITTLE KARIN. 


“Did you langli?” screamed Jolianna, staring at 
Ler nephew. 

“ Did yon laugh repeated Lisbeth and gave Elias 
an indignant glance. 

“ Why did you laugh asked Karin, who expected 
a very different turn. 

“ Because it seemed to me extremely ludicrous that 
my love stories should either end in a mitten or in the 
object marrying some one else. I could not keep 
from laughing at myself and the whole tender passion. 
It was ridiculous that I had made myself believe for 
days and weeks that I could not live without that lit- 
tle curly-head, who had completely infatuated mo, 
poor sinner that I was ; and when I failed to get her, 
I found that life was just as dear to me as before, not- 
withstanding she did not become its aim. The love 
story was changed into a gay comedy, wherein I had 
played the most laughable role^ as I had imagined that 
my whole existence depended upon the possession of 
a girl.” 

“ That was a fine illustration of men’s constancy,” 
remarked Johanna. 

“ And true besides,” said Karin. “ Yes, such they 
are ; therefore I can’t bear to hear them spoken of,” 
added she in a very oracular tone. 

“ Therein you are wise,” declared the judge ; “ such 
an ugly little witch as you, no man is likely to care for, 
in my opinion.” 

“ Ah, dear uncle, if I wished to, I could got you 
yourself to make me a declaration of love,” replied 
Karin decidedly. 

“ It would not succeed, my little gypsy ; I am not 
like the family. Inflammable 1 have never been, and 
now I am an 


LITTLE KARIN. 


57 


“ Old judge, who does not bring his own heart to 
judgment,” completed Karin, and then added, turning 
to Elias, “Well, what occurred after you laughed?” 

“ I asked M how it happened that the betrothal 

and intended marriage had been kept secret, and was 
informed that private family conditions had occasioned 
it. She had for two years been secretly engaged to 
this gentleman ; but not until the present spring had 
she overcome the obstacles which prevented their 
union. Her betrothed had desired that their marriage 
should not be mentioned before the day could be 
appointed. The weeks which elapsed after her father 
had granted his consent to their union, and until the 
day set for the wedding, Matea was to spend at her 
uncle’s ; this was her father’s will. 

“What family conditions formed the hindrance, 

M did not know, and I was not curious to learn 

them. 

“The note of invitation to the wedding arrived some- 
time afterwards, and I found it highly pleasurable to 
witness the union of my beloved with another. 

“M and his wife, the Weldners and I, went 

together to Christiana. Wo did not take the train 
through Hrammen, but drove over in a carriage. 

“This ride will constitute the main point in my trav- 
eling sketches, but now I limit myself to saying, that 
it presented scenes of such extraordinary beauty, that 
one beheld them mute with amazement and admira- 
tion; but I see that aunt wishes me to finish, and 
therefore I will only add that little curly-head married 
a good looking and gentlemanly sea-captain, a true 
type of the fine Norwegian. The ceremony was per- 
formed in church, as are all marriages in Norway, and 


58 


LITTLE KARIN. 


among the guests was Lieutenant * * *, he who was 
60 much interested in Matea on the steam-boat. The 
conversation between the Lieutenant and her had 
turned principally upon Matea’s betrothed, with whom 
the Lieutenant was well acquainted. The captain had 
accompanied the young ladies down to the boat, intro- 
duced the Lieutenant and said to him in confidence, 
that if all things went according to their desire, Matea 
would within a short time become his bride.” 

Thus it was no personal interest, which made 
them so enlivened by each other?” exclaimed aunt 
Johanna. 

“ ]^o, dear aunt, it was I, who believed myself to 
see that which did not exist, and finally it was Z, who 
imagined that I entertained feelings, which I never 
did ; but it was not the first time this had happened 
to me.” 

‘^And I suppose it is not likely to be the last 
either,” said Lisbeth. 

It would be too bad, if I had already ceased to 
flame,” replied Elias merrily. 

“ And still more grievous if I, on account of your 
flames, should be obliged to go hungry,” exclaimed 
the judge. “ How cursedly interested you have been, 
dear sister, in this stupid story ; it is a quarter past 
nine.” 

‘‘ Supper will be ready immediately,” assured 
J ohanna ; “ but first, Elias must confess that it was a 
bitter thing for him to be present at the wedding.” 

“ Hot at all, dear aunt. I have never had it so plea- 
ant, never been so joyful as on Matea’s marriage-day.” 

Good gracious, Elias ! you are as fickle as if you 
were — ” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


59 


“Your son, dear sister,” interrupted tlie judge. 

Johanna smiled and hastened out. 

Karin rushed up from the rocking-chair and 
went to Thure, who was still engaged in sorting beads 
for Lisbeth. In an instant the heads, separated with 
so much labor, were all mixed up, and Constantin had 
a shove which resulted in his making a mark right * 
across the pattern. A sound, resembling a silent oath, 
escaped him. Thure rose hastily and looked at Karin 
as if he would have liked to choke her. 

She smiled, put her arm in his, and said with an 
ingratiating manner : 

“ Let the beads be, they get along so well when they 
lie there pell-mell, without any class distinctions 
between them. They are good republicans and do not 
strive to gain advantage over each other ; they know 
full well, poor things, that they will sooner or later be 
impaled on the needle and fastened down with the 
thread, in order to form unnatural flowers and still 
more unnatural figures. It is better for you to go out 
with me and see my new music, than to sit here like 
a goose and pick out beads.” 

Thure would have absolutely protested against the 
proposal, had not the judge been looking at him ; he 
was afraid of displeasing his benefactor, if he refused 
to follow Karin. 

They left the room. Constantin, who saw his eve- 
ning’s work destroyed, threw down his pencil and 
went to the window to give vent to his resentment 
through some muttered oaths. 

Lisbeth and Elias were left alone for an instant. ^ 

“ Admit, Elias, that you are very volatile,” said Lis- 
beth, bending down over her embroidery. 


CO 


LITTLE KARIN 


“Granted, if jon consider it volatile that I was 
cured from my first scorching, without going through 
a cold water cure,” answered Elias sportively. 

“ That is not the question ; I am speaking of your 
fickle behavior in Norway.” 

“ In what way was it fickle ?” 

“ Assume that Eroken Matea had not been engaged, 
but shared your apparent attachment, you would in 
that case have proposed, been accepted and — ” 

“Married,” interrupted Elias. “Precisely. It would 
then have become very pleasant here at home. We 
would have built a little Utopia at Ekholmen. 

“ But how long do you think it would have contin- 
ued pleasant ?” 

“ As long as it was not the reverse.” 

“ That is to say, until you got tired of your wife and 
discovered that your attachment to her had only been 
a delusion to laugh at.” 

“ I hope that I would never have made that discov- 
ery. My wife could not have given me the mitten or 
married another, I can tell you.” 

“ But it is easy for you to tire of a person.” 

“ True enough ; but I will probably do that with 
whoever I marry, aunt Johanna excepted, whom 1 
cannot marry. My future wife will have to make up 
her mind to see me regard other beautiful women with 
interest.” 

“ Ah, you now confirm the judgment I pronounced 
about you. God be praised that I never became 
attached to you ; you are created to make the one who 
loves you unhappy and therefore — ” 

“ You wished to save yourself from such a misfor- 
tune,” said Elias, laughing. “ You have also saved 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Cl 


me, Lisbeth, for you are decidedly one of those women, 
who excite intense feelings, but are incapable of inspir- 
ing continuance. I would certainly have wearied of 
you, and that after a year’s marriage,” added Elias in 
a whisper. ‘‘ Your caprices, and your coquetry would 
have driven my love out of the window.” 

“ Come to supper,” cried Johanna’s voice from the 
door. Elias started up, and went out to the only 
woman he could not tire of. 

Lisbeth slowly put away her work. Her cheeks 
burned and in her eyelashes hung a clear pearl, which 
she, through 'a hasty blink, forced to drop down on her 
hand. Constantin approached and asked if he might 
conduct her to the dining-room. The judge’s voice, 
which called her, made her hasten in, without accept- 
ing the proffered arm. 

There had probably been a hot time between Thure 
and Karin, for they were both as red as turkey-cocks. 
Karin looked as if she had laughed herself to the high 
color, and Thure, as if he had got it from vexation. 

During the meal all were gay and cheerful, with tlie 
exception of Lisbeth and Thure. Johanna’s witticisms 
w'ere amusing, but not malicious. She tempted Con- 
stantin into laughing incessantly ; yes, even the love- 
sick inspector yielded his applause to J ohanna’s humor- 
ous sallies. Lisbeth kept silent and looked sulky ; 
Thure was mute and ate with such speed that it seemed 
as though he desired to swallow all his chagrin. 

After supper they separated^ and one and all went to 
their rooms. 


CHAPTER YI. 


KARIH is a little imp,” burst out 
Constantin, when be and Tbure entered tbeir 
apartment. She has done nothing the whole 
evening but be saucy and irritating. If she keeps on 
in this way, I for my part will abstain from the family’s 
society.” 

“And also from drawing patterns for Lisbeth?” 
inquired Thure, ironically. 

“ Yes, 1 will. If you are such a coward as to sub- 
mit to be laughed at and ridiculed by that young one, 
I am not. I suppose, however, that you find it entirely 
too interesting an occupation to sort beads for Froken 
Lisbeth, to be able to relinquish it.” 

“ Honsense, Constantin, you know very well that I 
do not interest myself in Lisbeth’s beads.” 

“ Do I ? The d I do ; you have had the blood 

up in your face the whole evening, as if you had come 
near having apoplexy, and then you looked squint-eyed 
when you met Froken Lisbeth’s gaze. I for my part 
think it mean in you not to confess honestly, that you 
are attracted to the sweet girl, but feign indifference. 
All the evening you have laid seige to her,’with a reg- 
ular charge from the battery of the eyes, and made me 
62 


LITTLE KARIN. 


63 


sit between, so that tlie warm glances passed by my 
nose and almost singed it.” 

You are crazy,” exclaimed Tbure, throwing away 
bis cigar. 

“ I might have become crazy, if I had not perceived 
the danger in time, and discovered that you and Lisbeth 
cherish very tender feelings for each other, although 
you do not dare to show it.” 

“ If you cannot make better observations as a judge, 
I pity you. To my jeyes, on the other hand, it looks 
as if you did your best to attack the beautiful fortress, 
and as if you had been encouraged to continue. But 
what use is it to quarrel about the ‘ pope’s beard ’? 
We have more than enough to do to keep out of Ka- 
rin’s reach. I can, however, console you with the 
fact that Karin was the least provoking last evening 
that I have ever seen her.” 

Then she must be very sweet, when she is the 
worst,” said Constantin. 

We will leave the young notaries, and go peep 
through the girls’ chamber-door, to listen. 

“ See here, what ails you, Lisbeth, you weep just as 
though you were a fountain of tears,” exclaimed Ka- 
rin. “ Has anything annoying happened to you 

^^Kothing; let me alone,” answered Lisbeth, and 
continued to weep. 

“ Let you alone ; what does that mean ? I can’t see 
you weep, without finding out the cause. Speak, dear 
sister, give vent to your grief.” Karin put her arm 
around her sister’s neck and drew her to her. 

“Hasn’t Constantin Both snapped at the hook?” 
asked Karin, jestingly. 

“ He is no more to me than my cast-off gloves,” de- 


LITTLE KAKIN. 


64 

dared Lisbeth, and added in an exdted tone : “ bow 
can you think that any such thing would trouble me?” 

“ How I can think it, is not to be wondered at, when 
the like has happened before,” replied Karin, smiling. 
“Has the ideal Tliure said or done anything that is 
not ideal? Has he given aunt Johanna tender glances, 
and neglected to share equally between you and her?” 

“ Karin, if you make fun of Thure, I will be still 
more distressed.” 

Thus an overflow of grief,” exclaimed Ivarin with 
comical terror. “ Thure has consequently no part in 
your sorrow. The angel, he is white as snow. God 
bless him.” 

“ Don’t go on in that way,” cried Lisbeth, freeing 
herself from Karin’s embrace. “ Thure is always 
good ; but that pampered Elias, he is never anything 
but unbearable, and now he has mortally offended 
me.” 

‘‘ Poor Elias ! Is it because he is a sensible boy, who 
laughs at the ludicrous and cannot make it sad ? Kever 
could I have believed you to be so heartless, as to de- 
mand that Elias should drag an unhappy love his whole 
life through ; no, I could not have imagined that you 
were so destitute of feeling.” 

‘‘Now you accuse me of insensibility,” replied 
Lisbeth, drying her tears. “You, my own sister, take 
sides with Elias, who has had the impudence to tell 
me right to my face, that I was capricious and vain. 
Yes, he asserted that all who cared for me would end 
in tiring of me, and that he would have done the same, 
if we had married.” 

“ Did Elias tell you all that ?” asked Karin, striking 
her hands together. “I could never have supposed 


LITTLE KARIN. 


65 


that he had such good judgment ; it really honors him. 
Was this the reason you wept ? The truth is bitter, as 
we all know ; but to weep— that is childish. Come 
here, Fido, and tell me if you don’t consider aunt Lis- 
beth too ridiculous for anything?” 

Fido, Karin’s little dog, obeyed the call directly and 
jumped up in her lap, where he seated himself and 
looked his mistress straight in the face. 

^ Ridiculous, ridiculous,” repeated Lisbeth, coloring. 

T ou and Elias are certainly ridiculous through your 
frivolity. If I lay down to die, you would assuredly 
find that ridiculous, too.” 

‘‘ Do you think so, Fido ?” Karin asked the dog, 
who in answer shook his long, beautiful ears. “ You 
don’t think so,” continued Karin, and that proves 
that you have better sense than aunt Lisbeth. ” 

‘‘ You, on the contrary, prove that you are intolera- 
ble,” said Lisbeth ; and Karin now had to endure sharp 
reproaches for her improper behavior. Lisbeth was 
ashamed of her ; she thought it abominable for her to 
be so hateful and disagreeable, and in her opinion, it 
gave evidence of a mean character that her sister in- 
creased the bitterness of her pain by saying spiteful 
things. 

Karin remained silent and caressed Fido’s head, 
while she kept time to Lisbeth’s words with her foot, 
without interrupting the angry speech. This so irri- 
tated Lisbeth that she ran into her room, and closed 
the door behind her. Karin took Fido’s head between 
her hands, kissed it, and said : 

‘‘Kow the storm is over, my dear Fido ; you and T 
will now philosophize over life’s trials. Ah, you gape, 
you are sleepy ; you do not wish to enter into any dis- 


66 


LITTLE KARIN. 


cussion with me, so I must postpone it until another 
time.” 

Karin carried her favorite to his cushion, and after 
she had covered him up, she started to go in to Lis- 
V beth, but found her sister standing behind her. 

‘‘ Dear Karin, I was altogether too hasty a moment 
ago,” whispered Lisbeth, looking quite repentant. 

The only answer Karin gave, was to put her arms 
around Lisbeth’s neck and kiss her. With this the 
reconciliation was eifected. 


A few days afterwards, one clear and cold Novem- 
ber morning, Elias opened the library door and peeped 
in. Karin sat before the large round table with a 
sheet of paper before her and a pencil in her hand. 
Fido lay on the table by the paper. 

“Would you like to take a walk to the village?” 
asked Elias. 

“ Certainly I would like to, if I had time,” answered 
Karin with an air of importance. 

“ What are you doing that requires such a tremen- 
dous hurry ?” Elias advanced to the table. 

“ I am engaged in making an account of the inmates 
of Ekholmen, in order to see what can possibly be 
done to improve each individual’s education. Fido is 
helping me, and we have come to extraordinary 
results.” 

She laid down her pencil, stroked Fido’s head, and 
" asked : — 

“We have displayed much sagacity, haven’t we, 
Fido?” . 

The answer was a wag of the tail. 


LITTLE KARIN. 67 

^^You see,” continued Karin, ‘^Fido confirms the 
truth of mj words.” 

‘‘Certainly; but this does not hinder you from 
accepting my proposal,” said Elias ; “ you can tell me 
about your plan during the walk. We will first go to 
Mattes’ cabin, order some sleds, and have a race down 
hill ; that will be refreshing after yesterday’s law re- 
ports, especially as there was a heavy fall of snow last 
night.” 

“ But what will aunt Johanna say ?” objected Karin, 
who rose, but sank back again on her chair. “ Only 
think ; yesterday you and I were out sleigh-riding, day 
before that out walking, and to-day together again. 
Aunt would be in an ungracious humor, and that would 
be a great pity. She has been so mild ever since we 
came home, that I would rather abstain from the pleas- 
ure of riding down hill, than vex her.” 

“You abstain !” exclaimed Elias, smiling. “When 
did you become afraid of sour looks ?” 

“When 1 learned that they proceeded from the 
heart’s ill-will,” answered Karin seriously ; she then 
added gaily, as she took Eido in her arms: — “Here 
goes for this time. I will tempt fortune. In a mo- 
ment I will be ready to accompany you.” 

Karin ran up to her room. 

Elias bent over the paper which lay on the table, 
and read the following : 

“ TJnde^ in friendly feud with aunt, on Lisbeth and 
Karin’s account. He considers himself shielding the 
unprotected, when he says ugly words to his sister.” 

“Yery good for a foundation, but unsuitable to 
build upon. Will not do, must be remedied.” 

“ Aunt Johcmna^ hostile to Lisbeth and Karin. An 


68 


LITTLE KARIN. 


old unsettled account, which the poor girls have to 
pay. Not quite just ; must he changed.^’ 

“ Uncle and aunt think a great deal of Elias — with 
right ; he deserves their love.” 

“ I declare,” exclaimed Elias, laughing “ Karin con- 
siders me worthy love.” 

“From aunt Johanna, yes!” said Karin, who now 
stood behind him with her things on. She snatched 
the paper from his hand. 

“Karin, let me read the rest,” begged Elias, trying 
to regain the paper. In doing this he caught Karin 
in his arms. 

“ Another time, not now 1” cried Karin, making an 
effort to free herself ; but Elias clasped his arms tighter 
around her, to prevent her from putting the paper in 
her pocket. He would probably have succeeded in 
getting possession of it, had not a voice from the door 
exclaimed : — 

“What in all the world are you up to, Elias? I 
stand mute with astonishment.” 

“ Don’t do that, dear aunt,” answered Elias, with- 
out letting go of Karin. “ Come here instead, and 
help me to get the paper from Karin ; it contains notes, 
which I must see.” 

“ If you wish me to help you to take by force what 
Karin is not willing to give you, it is a little too much 
to ask,” declared Johanna with some asperity. “Let 
go of Karin, else I will be displeased. I wonder that 
she allows you such, freedom.” 

“ Do you wonder at it 1 ” exclaimed Elias ; and spring- 
ing to Johanna, he took her in his arms and pressed a 
loud smack upon the fresh, full lips. 

Karin laughed, Johanna laughed, Elias laughed, but 


LITTLE KARIN. 


69 


there was a fourth, who did not laugh, hut uttered in 
a disapproving tone : — 

It is dreadful how rude Elias is to aunt Johanna ; 
it seems to me that one ought to he at least seventy 
years old, to allow such an improper performance.” 

“ And in Elias’ place, I would never have so failed 
in respect,” joined in a fifth person. Lisheth and 
Thure stood heside each other in the door. 

Johanna became red as fire; Lisheth looked at 
Johanna and Elias with an ironical air. 

Come Karin, let us fiy,” whispered Elias, when 
Johanna gave Lisheth such a sharp answer that it 
drove the hlood to the heautiful girl’s cheeks. There 
was a storm gathering between the two. 

“Yes, we will fiy,” repeated Karin, and hurried to 
the door ; in passing she whispered to Thure : — “ Kow 
show that you are a man by staying and settling the 
quarrel; do not run away like a coward, to avoid 
ofiending either of the parties.” 

Thure filing an enraged glance at Karin. The next 
instant she and Elias stood out in the vestibule. 

“ Why are you always so mean to Thure ? ” asked 
Elias as they pursued their way, ai^m in arm. “ What 
you now said was hateful.” 

“So much the better. The bitterest pills do the 
best work ; still you must not trouble yourself about 
that, but reflect instead upon the fact that you are an 
inveterate disturber of the peace. Kow you will see 
that there will be constant conflicts, something which 
is by no means pleasant.” 

“ Be calm, I will make peace again, if you only do 
not look so cross.” 

“ This state of afiairs is likely to cost me many 


70 


LITTLE KARIN. 


plates of soup, cups of coffee and glasses of water,” 
sighed Karin ; but with the sigh, her distress over 
what had occurred was past. 

Jesting and laughing they came to the collier’s cab- 
in. The sleds were brought out by Mattes, who had 
them in his keeping, and then the girl of seventeen 
and the notary of twenty-five began their race down 
hill, a sport which they enjoyed as much now as in 
childhood. 

Karin was generally considered homely, and com- 
pared with Lisbeth, she was ; but if you examined her 
face more closely, you discovered with surprise that it 
was not at all homely, but rather pretty. The ani- 
mated, soul-full expression, lent it a peculiarly fresh 
charm, which disappeared, however, when Karin, as 
it often happened, tormented those about her, or sat 
idle in the rocking-chair ; then her face did not have 
an agreeable expression. She looked at these mo- 
ments saucy, petulant, and tantalizing. Kow, when 
she was steering her sled with childish delight, she 
was quite lovely. The fresh wind had given her 
cheeks a brighter color ; her eyes beamed, her lips 
smiled and the curly hair, which peeped from under 
her hood, looked like a cloud. Karin and Elias had 
coasted a good long while, when Elias said quite ab- 
ruptly : — 

‘‘ Good gracious, how blooming you look.” 

‘‘ Do I ? ” replied Karin, stopping. “ It seems that 
you and I are not so terribly homely after all.” 

“ Have I ever thought so ?” 

“You, like all others, I suppose. Uncle calls me 
scarecrow, witch, etc., and he says that no man can 
ever fall in love with me; aunt Johanna has always 


LITTLE KARIN. 


71 


called me ‘ that ugly young one,’ and Thure, as long 
back as I can remember, has looked out of humor when 
his eyes rested upon me. He always coincides with 
aunt’s opinion about my appearance. Consequently I 
must be homely.” 

“ Assume that you are not.” 

‘‘ That will be difficult, as I have already assumed 
that I am.” 

“ Suppose the contrary.” 

“ Very well, I suppose what you desire, and ask you, 
Elias Wikstrand, can you fall in love with me ?” 

“With the aid of the genial conditions thereat 
home, and some corrections of your faults, it ought to 
go easy enough,” answered Elias, laughing. 

“ Then we will do our best to fall in love with each 
other, that is to say — we will never succeed.” 

“ Who knows ?” 

“ Cupid knows ; but now come and let us continue 
our ride. When the hour is up, we must turn our 
steps homeward, after we have been to the village.” 

The hour was soon passed, and the two young peo- 
ple went arm in arm to the village. 

“ Why was I not allowed to read the rest of your 
notes ?” inquired Elias. 

“Because you read the beginning without my leave.” 

“Will you give it to me, if I ask you for it ?” 

“ I will not ; but this afternoon when all the others 
go to their rooms to read, that is to say sleep, I will 
read you what I have written.” 

“ For sure?” 

Karin looked at Elias with a superior air, as if she 
had found the question improper. 

“ Will you answer a question honestly ?” asked 
Karin. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


72 

It is my will that yon shall answer P 

“ As yet your will is not my law.” 

But it may become your happiness.” 

In that case I will answer without hesitation all 
that 3m u desire to know.” 

So it is decided that we will fall in love with each 
other, if not for anything else, then that aunt Johanna 
ma}^ have a Ileldener for her nephew’s wife.” 

“ Precisely ; that matter is settled.” Elias and 
Karin laughed. 

Further, as you are now to fall in love with me, I 
ought to be your best friend.” 

Granted.” 

To be the best friend, we confide all our secrets.” 

For the most part.” 

“You must therefore frankly confess to me, that 
3mu still continue to love Lisbeth with all your heart 
and soul.” 

The blood rushed up to Elias’ face. He stopped 
abrupt!}^, and looked at Karin as if she had discovered 
some secret sin that he blushed over. 

“ Don’t deny the truth, Elias,” continued Karin, 
“ but answer honestly ; the secret is better guarded 
with me than with you, and if you are frank, I ma}^ 
give you some bits of advice which are not to be 
despised. So either yes or no, in answer to the ques- 
tion.” 

Elias refiected a moment, then smiled and said : — 
“ Yes !” 

“Singular how sharp-sighted I am,” said Karin. 
“Had 3mu answered no, I would decidedly have 
known that you told an untruth. I saw very well 
down there in the bake-house, 


LITTLE KARIN. 


73 


dWirAe^^Q in .tltpdbaiifi^io^ge, when yon stuffed your- 
self with cakes, in order to maintain your composure, 
that you had indeed recovered from your melancholy, 
your hopelessness and despair, during your journey, 
but not by any means from your love ; so I resolved 
to become your good fairy.” 

‘^^ou?” 

Just I ; but we will speak of that this afternoon. 
Is’ow you shall tell me whether you hope that Lisbeth 
will some day become attached to you ?” 

I have not thought about it,” answered Elias. 

‘‘Haven’t you? Well, do you wish to know why 
she gave you the mitten ?” 

“ From caprice, I suppose.” 

“She desired to test the constancy of your feelings.” 

“ A poor means, and I intend to show myself — ” 

“ Interested in me,” interrupted Karin ; “ immensely 
obliged to you for making me a decoy, — whereby you 
mean to entice Lisbeth’s love, and without asking per- 
mission either. That is mean. I have a great mind 
to give up the idea of becoming your good faiiy.” 

“ Do not, dear Karin, but continue to be my little 
sprite, and you shall see that all goes well,” said 
Elias, looking quite jocular. 

Karin was offended notwithstanding. 

Elias was obliged to employ all possible conciliatory 
means to propitiate her, but it was no use. He 
declared that she misunderstood him. Karin was so 
provoked, however, that before they reached the 
house she ran away from him, and came with such 
speed into the hall that she rushed right in Thure’s 
arms. 

“ What an odious meeting,” exclaimed Karin, and 

4 


74 


LITTLE KARIN. 


then added, laughing, “it is dangerous to strike so 
violently against an earthen vessel ; it might go to pieces. 
How are you ? I hope you are not injured.” 

“ I am not so easily hurt as you seem to imagine ; 
hut I advise you, Karin, to cease your constant attacks. 
My patience may come to an end, and then — ” 

“ What will happen then asked Karin. 

“ I will leave the house and tell your uncle the rea- 
son why I cannot stay,” replied Thure with heat. 

“ My dear Thure, I would commit a sin if I refrained 
from teasing you ; if I could drive you to such an 
energetic action that it would inspire my respect for 
your character for time and eternity, it would be very 
laudable in me.” 

Whatever Thure may have intended to answer, 
Karin escaped it, for she sprang up stairs. Elias 
entered the hall. 

“ How cursedly morose you look,” said he. “ Has 
Karin made you angry f ’ 

“When does she do anything else?” answered 
Thure, as he opened the front door and hastened out 
in the yard. 


CHAPTEB YII. 



ISBETH sat in her room, diligently occupied 
with her embroidery, when Karin came flying 


‘‘Where have yon been asked Lisbeth, sew- 
ing with a rapidity, which did not speak to the advan- 
tage of her nerves. 

“ I have been riding down hill with Elias.’’ 

Karin threw her hood on one chair, her jacket on 
another, and herself on a third, after which she 
exclaimed : — 

“ My gracious, what a splendid time I have had ! 
First the coasting, which was very, very refreshing, 
then the walk, and last, the meeting with Thure, when 


I came near giving the poor fellow a stroke of paraly- 
sis, just through rage. You will see, dear Lisbeth, 
that I shall Anally succeed in getting him to tell tales 
to uncle. I will be called down, uncle will have a 
solemn mien and ask,‘ How can you behave as you do, 
Karin ?’ I will throw my arms around his neck, kiss 
him, and put an end to the scolding, which was 
intended for me ; but I will have forced Thure to dis- 
card his slave nature.” 

Karin kicked off her fur boots so that one flew to 

75 


76 


LITTLE KARIN. 


the right and the other to the left, way across the 
room. 

Lisbeth looked np from her work and said in a 
superior tone : — 

‘‘Yon have made a good use of your forenoon. 
First you run around over liills and dales like a had 
boy, and go coasting with Elias, who is as pitifully 
childish as you ; then you torment a person who has 
never offended you, and finally you come up here and 
juit the whole room in disorder. Besides all this you 
talk a heap of nonsense, which proves that you have 
no respect for anybody or anything. I would feel 
very badly, if I conducted myself as you do.” 

“ And I, dear sister, would experience terrible 
remorse if I did what you do. That is to say, used 
my beautiful eyes to make poor and rich, young and 
old, living and dead, in love with me ; or if I took 
pleasure in tormenting my victims — one day favoring 
one, and the next day another, and at last got out of 
humor if my rejected adorers did not worship me for 
eternity. Do you know, that is dreadfully sinful 

Karin had collected the scattered articles of clothing 
and put them in the wardrobe. 

“ Karin,” exclaimed Lisbeth with glowing cheeks, 
“I do not understand what ails you, that you have 
been so hateful to me for several days, just as if I did 
not have it wearisome enough without your plaguing 
me. Kever before have you been so provoking. Dear 
me, how unhappy I am ; no one cares for me !” 

Lisbeth put her hands before her face. 

“Does no one care for you ?” exclaimed Karin, clasp- 
ing her hands. “And yet Elias was on the point of 
dying of grief when you rejected him.” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


77 


“ But he did not die.” 

“ And that troubles you.” 

Lisbeth took her hands from her face and began to 
embroider again. 

‘‘Besides you have our darling uncle,” continued 
Karin. “ He loves you, as if you were his own 
daughter.” 

“It is not me, but you that he holds dearest.” 

“ That is because no one else holds me dear ; you 
on the contrary have so many ; young Thure, who 
renders you his mute affection, when aunt Johanna is 
in his vicinity ; then the inspector, who stands on his 
head for you if you only smile at him, drives uncle’s 
horses to death when you wish to ride fast, and pro- 
cures flowers in the midst of winter to strew your 
path with. In order to be polite to you, the poor, fel- 
low is ready to turn Ekholmen upside down and him- 
self inside out. Think of him and you will find that 
you are loved.” 

Lisbeth burst out laughing, as she happened, in an 
unguarded moment, to look at her sister, who mimicked 
the inspector, when he regarded Lisbeth with enchanted 
eyes. Karin did not allow herself to be disturbed, but 
continued : — 

“ Then comes young Constantin. He is so capti- 
vated, that he draws suns and moons on your patterns, 
angels and naiads, hearts and flowers, and is so furious 
at the undersigned, that he would kill her with his 
eyes, if that were possible. Lastly 3^011 have me.” 

Karin threw herself on her knees before her sister 
and said with deep feeling : — 

“And I love you, in spite of your many great 
faults; 3mu are my own beautiful sister, whom I 


78 


LITTLE KARIN. 


desired to have a trifle less heartless, less haughty, and 
less coquettish. Still, Kome was not built in a day, 
but if you become Thure’s wife, you will have to learn 
humility; that I predict. Well, how was the quarrel 
with aunt Johanna settled?” 

“ Oh, it was settled easily enough ; Thure appeared 
as mediator, and succeeded in so far that aunt Johanna 
forgot her resentment toward me, and found it expedi- 
ent to assume the role of mild forbearance when Thure 
appealed to her good heart. I became disgusted and 
left. I, for my part, have never discovered that aunt 
Johanna had a good heart.” 

]^ot even when you lay ill, twm years ago ?” 

Lisbeth pushed Karin from her, took her work and 
said, without answering the question : — 

“ That you let Elias embrace you I consider very 
improper, and do not wonder that aunt became angry ; 
but I consider it equally improper for Elias to kiss her.” 

‘Wes, dear Lisbeth, you consider everything Elias 
does improper, since he ceased to wmrship you. You 
wish him to spend his life in mute despair over your 
hardness ; but I will tell you one thing : Thure does 
not like — ” 

“ I don’t care wJiat Thure likes,” interrupted Lis- 
beth impatiently. 

Karin began to hum a tune and dance before Lis- 
beth, so that she made her laugh again. 

“ You are intolerably aggravating, lazy and negli- 
gent,” exclaimed Lisbeth, irritated because she had 
allowed herself to be cheated into laughing. “Do 
you not remember that Christmas is at hand, and 
that this is the only opportunity we have to show 
uncle our gratitude through the presents we make 


LITTLE KARIN. 


79 


him ? For the rest, Karin, I think yon are too old 
to go out and saunter about all day long, and dress 
yourself like a little youngster, with your hair in 
your eyes.” 

‘‘Perhaps you are right; but it is my nature to 
be a good-for-nothing ; I only obey nature’s voice.” 

A message from aunt Johanna called Karin down 
into the kitchen, where she found her aunt in full din- 
ner toilet, stately and magnificent in her whole exte- 
rior, before a basket of groceries. On a large table 
stood rows of china jars, with labels signifying what 
kind of spice or grain should be put in each. 

“ After your coasting you ought to feel a great need 
of doing something useful,” said Johanna, “and there- 
fore you will have occupation here. The list of the 
contents of the basket lays on the table. I hope that 
you will carefully unpack the things and as usual dis- 
tribute them in the jars. See to it, that ^mu put every- 
thing where it belongs. I will afterwards convince 
myself whether you have properly attended to your 
duty.” 

Johanna left the kitchen with a proud bearing. 

Karin looked at her work. The two last years it 
had been uncle Magnus’ positive will that the girls 
should take part in the household cares. Johanna had 
not been particularly inclined for it, but as she did not 
dare to oppose her brother’s wishes she had occasion- 
ally employed their services, as in the present instance. 

Karin went at it with all her might. 

When dinner was over, and one and all, according 
to habit, had withdrawn to their rooms, Karin hastened 
down to the kitchen to finish her operations. She had 
not been there long, however, before Elias came in to 


80 


LITTLE KAKIN. 


help her, or rather to hear more about Karin’s descrip- 
tion of the members of the household. 

Pepper and ginger, prunes and raisins, figs and cur- 
rants, almonds and bay-leaves, all were forgotten, wdiile 
Karin and Elias with their heads quite near each other, 
studied her memorandum. The last-named read aloud : 

“ Elias deports himself as it befits a young man ; he 
is one to be helped. "While he is endeavoring to 
make aunt mild toward the Heldener stock, I am 
forced to think of his future happiness. With his 
education I need not busy myself. ” 

Elias laughed and looked at Karin ; she nodded and 
pointed to the next line. 

Thure would be a very nice man, if he had not 
been a poor boy. As it is, dependence has made him 
a milksop. He is aunt’s favorite and eye-servant. 
From fear of offending her or uncle, he often denies 
his own conviction and acts in conflict with his natur- 
ally independent character. This must be rectified. 
In his education much is unaccomplished. He shall be 
driven to some extreme.” 

‘‘ And it is you, who intend to drive him there,” ex- 
claimed Elias. He and Karin laughed heartily. She 
declared that it was her positive intention to make 
something of Thure. The reading was resumed. 

“ Lisleth is a pretty child, whom all the gentlemen 
adore. She loves conquest and believes in the power 
of her beauty. She is as good as she is pretty, as 
spoiled as she is good, as desirous of conquest as she is 
spoiled. Much to do, before she becomes what she 
ought to be.” 

“ Lastly we have Karin. An ugly little thing, who 
is as malicious as she is wild, as lazy as she is ugly, as 


LITTLE KARIN. 


81 


avaricious as she is lazy, everybody’s target, but un- 
cle’s darling. She has many faults, but they do not 
torment her ; she is so used to having people pick at 
her, that she picks at others in her turn. Education 
a failure ; cannot be remedied ; no go, no go.” 

“ That’s so, Karin, you are hopeless I” 

Perfectly.” 

“ And yet you wish to educate others.” 

do as uncle says that the" critics do : I notice oth- 
ers’ lacks, but do not think of my own incapacity. To 
blame is easy, to produce anything perfect, hard. To 
see others err, to attack them, is a pleasure ; to im- 
prove one’s self a torment.” 

Karin shook her frizzly head and added in a tone of 
pert vivacity : 

“ I am ugly, that I cannot help ; I am lazy, sloven- 
ly, avaricious and saucy ; all small peculiarities which 
I could amend — if I chose, but I do not wish to. Why 
should I do it ? Uncle likes me just as I am. When 
he, the only person I care for, is pleased with his little 
Karin, I do not know why I should change myself, 
especially as I am as capricious as my hair is frizzly.” 

“But I tell you what it is, Karin, it won’t do to 
reason that way,” said Elias ; “we must make an agree- 
ment for the benefit of your good qualities and the 
detriment of your faults.” 

“ How does it run ?” 

“ Thus, as you have taken upon yourself to educate 
old and young here at Ekholmen, and consider me to 
be the only one whose education is completed, you will 
certainly allow me to educate you.” 

Karin shook her head and looked meditative. 

“I do not know whether I will agree to that,” said 
4 * 


82 


LITTLE KAPvIX. 


she. “ Y on ought to have enough on your hands, to 
attend to aunt Johanna, if you succeed in teaching her 
to apply charity to us.” 

‘‘ You have, her on your list, have you not? Conse- 
quently I haven’t much to do with her. Well, Kariu, 
have I permission to make you an amiable and attrac- 
tive girl ?” 

‘‘ Me !” Karin laughed so that the tears came into 
her eyes. “ Do not attempt impossibilities.” 

“It is just impossibilities that are tempting. Yes 
or no ?” 

“ W ell, go ahead ; but it will be with you as with 
those who laid the foundations of Babel’s tower, you 
will never see your work finished.” 

“Leave that matter to me,” replied Elias. “My 
work will be easy, for the foundation is laid, and in 
order to seal the compact we have made, I will kiss 
your hand.” Elias let the action suit the word. A 
laugli was heard behind them. Lisbeth stood there. 

“ That’s pretty,” cried she. “ You are decidedly sick, 
dear Elias, as you pester aunt and Karin with em- 
braces, kisses and salutes. You cannot imagine how 
ridiculous it looked, when you ‘ sealed the compact.’ 
If that is a marriage compact, then I congratulate you. 
What a pleasant home your’s and Karin’s will be.” 

Lisbeth laughed, but the laugh did not sound nat- 
ural, and Karin interrupted it, exclaiming: 

“ The groceries, the groceries, which ought to be in 
the jars, and the jars, which ought to stand in the store- 
closet. Quick, all hands to work, but don’t eat up the 
currants, almonds and prunes, that I tell you, Elias.” 

“Yes, let us help Karin,” said Elias, taking hold of 
a paper of pepper and pouring the contents into a jar 


LITTLE KARIN. 


83 


of cumnts. The mistake occasioned liis dismissal* 
Lisbeth was charged to repair the accident. Elias put 
Karin’s memorandum in his breast-pocket and sat down 
on a chair to witness how the girls worked. 

Lisbeth jested keenly and sharply, but neither Elias 
nor Karin allowed the stings to wound them. They 
parried the attacks ; Elias even smiled with satisfac- 
tion, when she finally made him the sole object of her 
sarcasms. 

The clock struck five. Martha put in her head 
and announced that the coffee was carried up stairs. 

In the afternoon they drank coffee in Johanna’s lit- 
tle parlor, as th.e judge never partook of the noble 
beverage,, and his dear sister” in the years of conquest 
found it agreeable to serve the steaming nectar in her 
private apartment, filled with flowers and poesy. 

Our three young people entered Johanna’s room, 
and found her sitting on the sofa with Thure by her 
side. He held the beautiful aunt’s hand in his. Jo- 
hanna’s full cheeks had a lively color, her eyes beamed 
and her lips smiled, as she quite hastily drew away her 
hand. Thure looked as if he had made himself guilty 
of something, which might expose him to the law’s 
punishing arm. 

Martha was in entirely too great a hurry to inform 
us about the coffee, I perceive,” said Lisbeth in a sharp 
tone, casting an expressive glance at her aunt and 
Thure, we come and disturb a sweet tete-a-tete, which 

oh-h !” screamed Lisbeth. A pin was forced 

quite unmercifully into her waist. She turned round. 
Karin looked at her with the most innocent air in the 
world, while she held the pin before her sister’s eyes, 

“ Where is Constantin f ’ inquired Elias. 


84 


LITTLE KARIN. 


There,” answered Johanna and pointed to the door, 
through which young Both entered. 

Lovisa came with the coffee-tray. 

Karin darted forward and seated herself on the chair 
Constantin was going to take by Lisbeth’s side. She 
thanked the notary for his politeness in placing it for 
her, and smiled so mockingly that the easily offended 
Constantin became red in the face. It would have 
been a pleasure to him to pour the contents of his 
coffee-cup over the irritating girl. 

Aunt Johanna was in the best of humors. She 
could not refrain from smiling at Karin, whose man- 
oeuvre in taking possession of Constantin’s seat won 
her approbation ; neither could she avoid jesting a little 
with Constantin over the unenviable place he had ob- 
tained between Elias and Thure. 

One can say that the notary is obliged to ‘ sit be- 
tween,’ ”* said Johanna, as she smiled and displayed the 
whole wealth of her own handsome teeth. 

Then he shares my fate,” observed Lisbeth ; I 
have always the misfortune of ‘ sitting between,’ and I 
can testify that — that — ” 

Lisbeth felt the point of a pin in her knee, and 
did not finish her sentence. 

My dear Lisbeth, you place yourself in the dilem- 
ma, and in such a case one must take the consequences ; 
but the notary has fallen into it through no fault of 
his own, and that is harder.” 

The redness in Lisbeth’s cheeks, the fiash in her 
eyes, and the trembling of her lips, showed that there 
was some especial cause which withheld her from 


*A Swedish expression, signifying to be made a victim. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


85 


uttering the words she longed to saj. The bond that 
held her tongue in check was Karin’s pin. Lisbeth 
felt the point of it all the time in her knee, and fore- 
saw that it would be driven remorselessly into the fleshy 
if she said anything that Karin disapproved. 

The coffee drinking passed without any further skir- 
mishes, thanks to Karin’s pin. 

After coffee Lisbeth rose and went for her work ; 
they were all to spend the afternoon with Johanna, as 
the judge and the inspector had gone to the parsonage. 

Karin followed her sister and was greeted, at her 
entrance in their room, with reproaches. 

She threw herself down in an easy-chair and let Lis- 
tetli talk, without trying to defend herself. There 
rested a slight cloud on Karin’s brow. When Lisbeth 
finally ceased, Karin raised her head and said with deep 
seriousness : — 

“Lisbeth, put a mark to what I now say. You 
must change your behavior toward aunt Johanna.” 

“ Shall I obey yonr commands ?” exclaimed Lisbeth. 
“ I for my part think that you have not been particu- 
larly amiable toward her yourself, hitherto, although 
you have now, since our return, tried to get in her 
good graces. I suppose that is done in order that you 
may roam around with Elias in peace, or else you have 
some pecuniary benefit from it. 

“ Do not continue, Lisbeth ; you see that I am in 
earnest, and you know that I do not like jesting at 
such times.” Karin said this in a decided tone. “ It 
is true that I have been fully as snappish, saucy, and 
hateful as you, toward aunt, but that it has been so is 
a disgrace to me, and a sad proof that our governess 
and also our benefactor, in their partiality, have over- 


8G 


LITTLE KARIN. 


looked this unpardonable fault. It would be a poor 
evidence of our heart and understanding, if we now, 
as full-grown women, continued to behave as badly, 
and I therefore declare that it must not be.” 

Be so good as to limit yourself to your own actions, 
and do not decide over mine,” rejoined Lisbeth. 

“ Have you already forgotten our mother’s letter to 
aunt Anna? Bemember that we were invited to 
Ilyttefors to learn its contents.” 

Lisbeth turned hastily from the mirror. Her face 
had a sorrowful expression. Karin continued : — 

“ Have you forgotten the promise we made each 
other after the perusal of it ? ' Our mother wrote : — 

‘ When my girls have attained the age when they can 
judge of their own acts, I desire that you allow them 
to spend some time with you, and then become inform- 
ed of the conditions between them and Johanna. If 
you do not consider this best, then tell them from their' 
mother, that it is their duty and my last wish, that 
they may, throngli goodness, friendliness, submission, 
patience, and forbearance, try to overcome Johanna’s 
dislike to them. Their departed parents stand in great 
debt to Johanna. Would to God that the children 
might cancel it.’ ” 

Karin ceased. Lisbeth and she looked at each other 
in silence. 

“ My mother, my beloved mother, I will be obedi- 
ent,” whispered Lisbeth, putting her arms around her 
sister’s neck. You, Karin, are much, much better 
than I.” 

will not say that,” replied Karin gladly. “But 
I will assert that it is impossible for you to henceforth 
be anything but sweet and pleasant to aunt, even if it 


LITTLE KARIN. 87 

should happen that yon once more surprised the uncon- 
querable Thure with her hand clasped in his.” 

‘‘And if I forget myself” — 

“ My pin will remind you of what you ought to do.” 

Karin kissed her sister, bade her return to Johanna? 
and promised to come immediately, after she had. looked 
in the store-closet and seen that all the jars and things 
■were in their proper places, as they had been put away 
in such a hurry. 

Lisbeth took her work, east a loving glance at her 
mother’s portrait, and proceeded to join the others, in 
the mildest frame of mind. 

Aunt Johanna and Elias were alone, but Constantin 
and Thure soon presented themselves. 

Thure read aloud some amusing bits from Sehlstedt? 
and Constantin occupied himself with the pattern, 
which was not yet finished. Elias sat leaning back in 
an easj^-chair, contemplating Lisbeth’s face, which, since 
the conversation with Karin, had a peculiarly gentle 
expression. 

A whole hour elapsed, without Karin becoming vis- 
ible. At length Elias exclaimed : — 

“ But where does Karin keep herself ?” 

At that instant the door opened, and Karin entered 
with a whole armfull of zephyrs, a large worsted pat- 
tern, a piece of canvas and a frame. She was literally 
overloaded with working materials. 

“ What does this mean, what are you going to do 
with all that stuff ?” asked Elias. 

All eyes were fastened on Karin, who, with her hair 
fashionably arranged and attired in her newest clothes, 
stood before them, so unlike herself, as to cause the 
others to smile. 


88 


LITTLE KARIN. 


"With an extremely dignified manner slie laid the 
zephyrs, patterns, and canvas on the table, which was 
thereby covered so entirely, that Constantin’s pattern, 
Lisbeth’s beads, and Johanna’s sewing things were 
buried under it all. 

“ I intend to work,” said Karin in a solemn tone, 
and placed the frame on Thure’s knee. 

At these words all present burst, into a laugh. 

Do you intend to embroider ?” asked Elias. 

“ You can see for yourself.” 

‘‘ How you have rigged yourself out,” added he. 

“ Don’t I look nice 

“ Perfectly hideous ; your chignon is larger than 
your head, your dress so gay and so tight-fitting, that 
it makes me feel sick to look at it, and your apron cov- 
ered with jet beads. You look extremely ridiculous, 
dear little Karin, you mustn’t fix yourself up in that 
style. AVhere did you get that paraphernalia ?” 

From aunt Anna. Kig yourself out, you say; I 
am dressed just like Lisbeth and other well-bred girls,” 
answered Karin, otfended. “I am sure my dress 
ought to set well, as a famous dress-maker made it, 
and my hair ought to be nicely arranged, so that I 
may no longer look careless; a state of things that 
Thure found so dreadful. You can also see that I in- 
tend to become industrious, when I have brought my 
work with me. Keither Thure nor Lisbeth shall here- 
after take offence at my laziness. I shall embroider 
my .gratitude upon this piece of canvas, and as the for- 
mer is great, the embroidery ought also to be great. 
If I continue in this way, it will certainly end in Thure’s 
falling in love with me.” 

They made a great deal of fun of Karin’s rage for 


LITTLE KARIN. 


89 


embroidery, threw the pattern and zephyrs here and 
there, so that it w^as all topsy-turvy around her. 

When they were finally about to separate, Elias 
said to Karin : — 

Do you mean to wear your hair that way all the 
time ? ” 

I wish to facilitate your labors in making me per- 
fect.” 

“ Do you intend to maintain that large chignon, that 
furbelowed dress and that bead-strewn apron 

Most assuredly.” 

“ Are you going to stick to that tiresome embroidery 
every evening ? ” 

It is a testimony of my gratitude.” 

Karin, I beg of you, give up all this, otherwise I 
will become desperate and will not devote myself to 
your education.” 

Yes, I see, you wish me to be careless and lazy.” 

‘‘ I wish you to be first and last yourself.” 

Thure passed by them and said a scanty good night 
to Karin. 

In spite of Elias’ request Karin continued to be 
fashionably arrayed a whole week. She embroidered 
day out and day in and conducted herself all the while 
with much dignity. They no longer heard her laugh, 
chat, sing or jest, she walked properly, teased no one 
and talked but little. 

The judge thought that the girl had become “ cursed- 
ly — -tedious.” Elias begged every evening that she 
would again become their joyous Karin ; aunt Johanna 
declared that she was far more tantalizino: when she 
embroidered than when she was idle; and Constantin, 
in the depths of his heart, said the same as she. Ka- 


90 


LITTLE KARIN. 


rill’s zephyrs, pattern and frame always came in collis- 
ion with his drawing. Her whole manner appeared 
to him as though it were assumed only to ridicule his 
attention to Lisbetii. Thure became in a worse and 
W'orse humor. When the judge was not present, he 
could not refrain from saying exasperating words to 
Karin, in the hope of irritating her to drop her part, 
but this did not succeed. The only thing he gained 
was that he had to bear the rebukes of Lisbeth, who, 
as Karin did not defend herself, considered it her duty 
to do it. Even the inspector was affected by Karin’s 
stiff manner, industry and silence, so that he had a still 
more unhappy appearance than usual. 

Finally, one Saturday evening, when they again 
gathered in the sitting-room and Karin entered with 
her embroidery, the judge said with great impa- 
tience, as he rose from his chair, took the newspaper 
and prepared to leave the room : — 

‘‘ If I continue to see Karin come sailing in with 
her worsted-work and then sit like a machine and sew, 
I will abstain from your society.” 

He approached the door. Karin put down the frame, 
laid the worsteds and patterns on the table and follow- 
ed her uncle out of the sitting-room. 

Can any one tell wdiat is the matter with Karin 
exclaimed Johanna, looking at those present wdth an 
in(][uiring glance. 

“ She wishes to show that she also can be an em- 
broidery machine, when it is demanded,” answered 
Elias, and that she can dress herself as fashionably as 
all other young ladies. You yourself, aunt, have often 
desired the change.” 

“ I have desired that she should become industrious 


LITTLE KARIN. 


91 


and skillful, not a caricature, which she now is,” de- 
clared Johanna. “ She looks so ridiculous that she has 
become* intolerable, and so have you all.” 

“ That is granted,” said Elias, “ but now I have a 
great desire to show Karin that we can have a good 
time, in spite of her masquerade.” 

“How shall that be done ?” inquired Johanna, ironi- 
cally ; “ the gentlemen have not been especially rich in 
invention during the past week, but have let dullness 
take the upper hand.” 

“ Yes, and that so thoroughly that it has seemed to 
me that we, individually and collectively, looked like 
a set of Quakers,” said Lisbeth. 

“ One would be tempted to assume that you had all 
been so interested in Karin, that she engrosses you,” 
resumed Johanna; “ that is not at all flattering to Lis- 
betli and me.” 

The gauntlet, which she threw down, was picked up 
by the gentlemen. A little debate arose, and was car- 
ried on with great spirit. The two ladies used their 
weapons well, but it is with a war of words as with 
fire-works, they amuse for the time, without leading 
to any result. When the strife ceased, Elias exclaim- 
ed : 

“But where have uncle and Karin gone? I believe- 
by my honor, that they are taking their ease in uncle’s 
room. There they now sit, cooing like a pair of tur- 
tle-doves. I have a great mind to look them up.” 

“It is singular, dear Elias, how uneasy you become, 
if Karin i& not present,” said Lisbeth sharply. “ One 
would think that you could not live without her.” 

“That comes because she resembles my flame in 
Norway.” 


92 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Witli this Elias left the room. Constantin remark- 
ed that he had long suspected that the two would be- 
come a pair ; a declaration that Thure thought ludi- 
crous, Johanna, absurd; and Lisbeth, highly improba- 
ble. 

“ Karin is sweet and good,” said Lisbeth, “ but I do 
not believe that any one will fall in love with her. She 
is homely — my little sister.” 

Aunt Johanna went out to attend to some house 
hold matter ; Thure seated himself at the piano, and 
Constantin entertained Lisbeth by trying to convince 
her that his observations with regard to Elias and Kar- 
in were correct. 

The roses came and went on Lisbeth’s cheeks, she 
gave short and cutting answers, and asserted that gen- 
tlemen were always inclined to draw false conclusions. 
When aunt Johanna came in again, Lisbeth went to 
get some beads. She stayed long and in the mean- 
time the young gentlemen had to content themselves 
with Johanna’s society. 

Kot until supper, did the judge, Elias and Karin 
make their appearance. The latter as stiff and offish 
as she had been the "whole week. 


CHAPTEE YIIL 


E" tke girls’ room a little scene took place 
that evening. Lisbeth accused Karin of a lack 
of frankness. She had not told her that she 
was very much attached to Elias, and this 
grieved Lisbeth. She wept when she thought that she 
was nothing to Karin, that the latter gave away her 
heart without mentioning a word about it to Lisbeth, 
who would have warned her, for it was a misfortune 
to love Elias. He would never love anybody, least of 
all one who was not pretty. 

Karin undid her hair, shook her head, and smiled 
at her image in the glass, while Lisbeth talked about 
her lack of beauty. 

You have become dreadfully nervous, dear Lis- 
beth,” said Karin, when a pause was made in the 
stream of reproaches. “'You were not so formerly. 
You now weep and fret yourself over everything. I 
will calm you, however, by telling you that Elias and 
I have not yet spoken of love ; what may occur in the 
future, I leave unsaid. One thing is certain, if Elias 
proposes he will gain my consent.” 

“ But he will not propose,” exclaimed Lisbeth, seiz- 

93 


94 


LITTLE KARIN. 


ing hold of Karin’s arm ; “ he is only making a pre- 
tence, in the hope of piquing me.” 

“In that case he has succeeded well,” rejoined 
Karin ; “ but I do not think so,” added she, looking 
at her nails, “ and you will see ; that Elias will offer 
me his hand and his heart.” 

“ Are you in earnest ? Do you really hope for it ?” 

“ Fully in earnest. You can celebrate your wed- 
ding with Thure the same day I do mine with Elias.” 

“Thure, Thure, I do not care for Thure,” murmured 
Lisbeth. 

“ That is to say, the poor sinner has shown signs of 
weakness ; you no longer consider him impregnable. 
Inconsiderate young man! "Why did you do so?” 
declaimed Karin. 

“ Stop teasing, Karin,” screamed Lisbeth, impetu- 
ously ; “ Thure has never made me any declaration, and 
never will.” 

“ That would be wise in him. If he had not acted 
from cowardice, I would have respected him. Do not 
be troubled on that account, Lisbeth ; if I know you 
aright, you will not let go of him until he has laid his 
heart at your feet and yon have been allowed to tram- 
ple upon it. It may then happen that you do with 
him as with Elias — kick away the trampled heart. 
Thure will then have to go to Norway and console 
himself. Good-night, I am entirely too sleej)y to chat 
longer.” 

Karin kissed her sister and thought as she did so : 

“ She loves Elias ! Thus I have not been mistaken.” 

The next day there was a large company at Jus- 
tice Enkeman’s, Johanna’s suitor. 

Karin was not seen at breakfast, but as neither the 


. LITTLE KARIN. 


95 


judge, Jolianna nor Elias made any inquiries, no one 
else could do it, although Thure would have liked to 
know where the vexatious creature kept herself. 
Lisbeth was ungracious to all, snubbed Elias when- 
ever he addressed her, taunted Thure, and did not look 
at Constantin or the inspector. Johanna on the con- 
trary w^as as charming as Lisheth was repelling. 

There was to be a party that evening at the rich 
bachelor’s. Johanna took a certain pleasure in describ- 
ing to Constantin what an elegant home the justice 
had. 

“ It is a pity it has no mistress,” said Johanna in 
conclusion, fingering her watch. 

My dear sister could have remedied that if she 
had wished to,” joined in the judge, but the justice 
was not young enough, you see. You must know that 
my sister, in her young days, was very good looking, 
and Enkeman then inviteAIier to become the mistress 
of Bratbacken.” * 

Johanna rose from the breakfast-table and left the 
room. She could never bear to hear that she “had. 
been handsome.” It was as much as to say that she 
was no longer so. 

The carriages drove up ; the young gentlemen stood 
waiting to assist the ladies. One of the former was 
to ride with them. Which one, depended upon 
elohanna. 

After a moment’s delay Johanna came, wrapped in 
a magnificent pelisse, with a beautiful hood trimmed 
with swan’s down, which enclosed the full and rosy 
face ; after her Lisbeth, with a fur hood, which became 
her exceedingly well ; and lastly Karin, wdio had 
drawn the hood of her cloak over her head, so that her 


96 


LITTLE KARIN. 


face was almost entirely concealed. She jumped up 
in the carriage before her sister and without help. 

Make haste, dear child, don’t you see that we are 
waiting ? ” cried Karin to Lisbeth, in the old joyous, 
S]3irited tone. 

“ God he praised, dear Karin, that you can talk as 
you used to,” said Elias, assisting Lisbeth into the car- 
riage. 

The happiness of riding with the ladies was confer- 
red upon Constantin. If he, in the beginning, felt 
overjoyed when he took his place opposite Lisbeth, 
this feeling became transient. He had not ridden 
many minutes, before he was enraged at Karin for her 
raillery. Aunt Johanna and Lisbeth laughed at it, 
and this increased his resentment, so that he wished 
with all his heart that he had ridden with the old 
man ” in the other carriage. He considered it entirely 
out of place that Karin should have him, a rich man’s 
son, for her butt. 

After a quarter of an hour’s drive they stopped be- 
fore the stately mansion at Bratbacken. The justice 
came himself to help Johanna from the carriage and 
conduct her to the rooms wLich were assigned to the 
ladies. 

When Johanna was ready, Karin could not refrain 
from frankly exclaiming : 

‘‘ How splendidly you look, aunt. Bratbacken would 
gain considerably in having such a mistress. Mercy 
on me, how delightful it would be to dance at your 
wedding.” 

Johanna smiled, threw a glance into the mirror, and 
forbade Karin to talk like that when she knew that 
she did not wish to be mistress of Bratbacken. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


97 


“ That is a horrid name for such a large and beauti- 
ful estate,” said Johanna, as she surveyed the two 
girls’ attire. Karin’s blue delaine dress, with full 
waist, belt and rosette of the same material, was ex- 
tremely simple and unpretending. A piece of lace 
was gathered around the neck and a little steel brooch 
was her sole ornament. Her hair was frizzly and cur- 
ly, as usual. 

You are entirely too simple, dear child,” said Jo- 
hanna, a little displeased ; you look as if you were in 
your every-day dress. Brother Magnus will be angry 
because I have not seen to it that you were properly 
attired. Had I remembered your carelessness, I 
would — ” 

Have let me be, as I am,” interrupted Karin, smil- 
ing. Elegance in attire does not beJt an ugly little 
object, as you have found out during the last week.” 

Johanna now turned her eyes to Lisbeth, who in her 
pink silk dress, richly trimmed with flounces, rosettes 
and lace, formed a strong contrast to her sister. Lis- 
beth’s hair was nicely arranged, and adorned Avith pink 
flowers ; she Avore a handsome gold chain, Avhich end- 
ed at the belt, Avhere a little watch was concealed ; 
costly ear-rings and bracelets completed the elegant 
toilette. A cloud flew over Johanna’s brow, when she 
regarded Lisbeth’s beautiful, slender form and lovely 
face. 

“ If Karin is too simple, then you are the contrary,” 
said Johanna, shortly, and Avent toAvard the door, which 
led to the draAving-room. Her handsome brown silk 
dress had such a long train, that' the girls were obliged 
to keep themselves at a distance. She resembled a 
queen Avhen she entered, folio Aved by her retinue. 


98 


LITTLE KARIN. 


The justice came toward his old flame, gave her a 
glance full of admiration, and ofiered her his arm. 

“Froken Wikstrand is a very stately lady,” was 
whispered by those present, when Johanna entered. 

‘‘ How pretty that Lisbeth Heldener is, and how plain 
Karin looks,” said they, afterwards. 

Conscious of her superiority Lisbeth immediately 
took her place in the midst of the prettiest young la- 
dies ; Karin withdrew to a window recess, where some 
children, about twelve or thirteen years old, were try- 
ing to escape the argus eyes of their mothers and 
aunts. 

That Karin was present, no one seemed to notice. 
All the young gentlemen gathered around the beauti- 
ful young girls, and competed to render the most beau- 
tiful, Lisbeth, their homage. Elias and Constantin 
were in the cluster, but where was Thure ? 

Karin bent forward to look for him. He stood lean- 
ing against the door-post with his eyes steadily fasten- 
ed upon the group of girls. 

“ The craven fellow, he does not dare to go to her^ 
only because aunt may see him,” said Karin to her- 
self. 

Dinner was announced. The gentlemen led out the 
ladies, and they marched two by two, preceded by the 
justice, who, obeying the voice of his heart, had offer- 
ed Johanna his arm, and left it to the other gentlemen 
to escort the titled dames to the table. 

Elias stood beside Lisbeth. 

“Well, you will surely offer me your arm,” whisper- 
ed she, with such a captivating smile that it ought to 
have placed Elias on his head instead of his feet ; but 
he smiled in return and drew aside, so that Constantin 


LITTLE KARIN. 


99 


could approacli and offer the courted beauty liis arm. 

Lisbeth’s cheeks burned, as she passed by Elias, who 
looked around for a lady. 

His eye slipped by the group which surrounded him, 
and stopped at the blue delaine dress, of which he 
caught a glimpse through the curtains. 

‘‘Will you take my arm, Karin?”, asked he. 

She rose. 

“Welcome again, little runaway, who has torment- 
ed us for a whole week with your industry and ele- 
gance. I was truly glad when you entered, and I saw 
your little frizzly head. All night I have thought 
with horror that you might appear in a grand toilette. 
I must confess, however, that you have gone to the 
other extreme, and are not adorned enough.” 

“ That’s your opinion, is it ? And yet I am dressed 
just as I have always been ; but you have never made 
any objection to it before,” answered Karin. “If you 
think of me at night, then when do you think of Lis- 
beth ?” 

“ When I am not thinking of you. But now tell 
me, Karin, why have you plagued us with your dili- 
gence and fine airs?” 

“I wished to show you how I would appear if I 
were perfect. I hope you will now give up your idea 
of making me so.” 

“ Hot at all ; it is with you as with the artist’s model ; 
it may suffer from certain defects, but these are not of 
such a kind that the model needs to be made over — 
only retouched.” 

“ Much obliged ; but see, there comes Thure with 

homely Froken E . Why in heaven’s name did 

he not choose the pastor’s Elvira?” 


100 


LITTLE KAKIN. 


« Ask him.’’ 


The dinner was delightful; host and guests ani- 
mated. 

At seven o’clock the dancing began. 

Lisbeth was stormed with invitations. All strove 
for the privilege of dancing with her, or at least of 
obtaining a glance or a smile. ISTobodj invited Karin. 

.Karin was so accustomed to this, that she remained 
quiet in a cabinet, surrounded by the children, with 
whom she played games. 

The music struck up. The children also wished to 
dance. Karin told the half-grown girls to dance with 
each other, and led them herself. 

Several dances were over. Karin had danced with 
the children uninterruptedly. More joyful than any 
of the beautiful maidens, she whirled around briskly 
with little girls of ten and twelve. 

Elias danced with Lisbeth, and looked very much 
exhilarated. It seemed as if the young beauty had 
succeeded in reviving the old flame. Elias also danced 
with several other ladies, married and unmarried, and 
even a francaise with aunt Johanna ; but Karin he had 
forgotten. 

He was again on the floor with Lisbeth, in an intox- 
icating galop, and came very near dancing over Karin, 
■who was partner to a nine-year-old dame. 

The galop was ended ; pair by pair they proceeded 
to the drawing-room. Karin and her little lady seated 
themselves by one of the windows, when, to her great 
surprise, Thure approached. 

‘‘ Will you give me the next waltz ?” asked he. 

“ With pleasure,” replied Karin. ‘‘ if you will tell 
me why you have invited me ?” 




LITTLE KARIN. 


101 


“ Because I desire to waltz with you.” 

“ Allow me to doubt it ; it is decidedly done from 
the fear that uncle would be displeased, if you did not 
show me this politeness. I saw you speaking to him 
just now.” 

Thure’s cheeks became crimson ; he compressed his 
lips and after a violent effort, he said : — 

Will you dance with me or not, Karin ?” 

The young girl considered. 

“ I will not.” 

Thure went hastily from her. 

Dear Karin, can you pardon me for forgetting 
you ?” inquired Elias, who now came to Karin, with 
Lisbeth leaning .on his arm. 

“ Scarcely,” answered she. 

Why do you only dance with children ?” asked 
Lisbeth, looking at Karin with a triumphant air, as if 
she meant to say: — “ You are ugly, I am beautiful; 
Elias will never propose to you.” 

“Because no one has invited me, dear Lisbeth.” 
Karin smiled. “ I have had a splendid time, never- 
theless. The young gentlemen still regard me as a 
child, and I owe them thanks for it.” 

“ Ah, that is not flattering,” said Elias. “ I now 
solicit the next polka, however ; will you grant it to 
me ?” 

“ Certainly not. I have engaged my partner and will 
not disappoint her. If you have forgotten me the 
whole evening, you may willingly continue to do so.” 

Karin sprang away from Elias and went in the 
cabinet. 

“ Who are you going to dance with ?” she heard a 
young gentleman ask Constantin, as she entered the 
room unobserved. 


102 


LITTLE KARIN. 


With the little imp from Ekholmen, — the old man 
is offended with me. The girl, to use the mildest 
terms, is unbearable. Disagreeable in her exterior, 
plain in her attire, impertinent and a'wkward in her 
m^anner, so that it is a real sacrifice to be compelled to 
ask her to dance ; but she is the old man’s favorite, and 
therefore I must.” 

Cursedly annoying,” replied the other young man. 
“ Incomprehensible that two sisters can be so unlike. 
The elder is an angel of beauty and grace, the young- 
er just the opposite.” 

‘‘Yes, God knows that it is so,” sighed Constantin. 

“ It is very unpleasant for ^^ou, wdio live with Wiks- 
trand, to be forced to show politeness first to the 
coquettish old woman and then to the disagreeable 
girl. I thank God that I am spared these misfor- 
tunes.” 

They went out in the drawing-room. 

A few minutes afterwards Constantin sought Karin. 

“May I dance this francaise with you, Froken?” 
asked he. 

- “ I am engaged.” 

“ The next waltz 

“ I am engaged for that too.” 

“Have you no dance disengaged?” 

“ Hot one.” 

The justice now came to the young girl and said in 
a merry tone : — 

“ Well, Karin, are you engaged for the francaise?” 

“ Ho sir, I am not.” 

Constantine turned round as he was departing. 

“If you will dance the francaise Avith your old friend, 
you will have your aunt Johanna and Thure for ms-Or 
msP 


LITTLE KARIN. 


103 


Yes, most willingly.” 

Come then, my lassie.” 

Away went the justice with his lady, and that right 
before Constantin, who felt deeply atfronted. 

During the figure, where the gentlemen change 
partners, Karin whispered to Thure : — 

“ Stop paying attention to aunt Johanna, it is un- 
worthy ; and you make it impossible for Herr Enke- 
man to finally win her over.” 

Thure had no time to reply. 

They finished the francaise. Constantin again look- 
ed up Karin. 

“How shall I explain your behavior, Frdken?” 
asked he. 

“ As you please,” answered Karin. “ I freed you 
from dancing with ‘ that little imp from Ekholinen,’ 
and therefore you ought to thank me. ‘ The old man ’ 
will not take it amiss ; you have fulfilled your whole 
duty.” 

Karin left him. Constantin could not get her out 
of his thoughts for the whole evening. 


CHAPTEE IX. 



' T was the morning before Christmas and a 
week after the party at Bratbacken. 

The moon shone clear in the heavens and 
illumined the landscape with its pale light, which 
became still paler when the reflection fell on the thick 
carpet of snow that covered the earth. 

It was seven o’clock. The front door opened, and 
Karin, clad in a tight-fltting fur cloak and winter hood, 
stepped out in the yard. She closed the door careful- 
ly after her, and crossed the yard in the direction of the 
wood, which lay on the other side. 

Karin walked quickly along the tramped winter 
path. 

Where the deuce is she going to, so early in the 
morning ?” said Thure to himself, as he stood by his 
chamber window and, in the clear moonlight, saw 
Karin marching through the yard. 

She has taken such mominor walks several times. 

O 

I wonder where she goes ?” 

Thure dressed himself in the greatest haste, while 
he continued his soliloquy ; — 

Ever since the party at Bratbacken I have desired 
to have an opportunity to speak with her, but these 
104 


LITTLE KARIN. 


105 

I 

endless Christmas preparations have made it impossi- 
ble ; I will now temj)t fortune and at the same time 
try to find out w^hat Karin’s morning., promenades 
mean.” ' 

Thure was soon clothed. Karin had not gone half 
way across the field, before Thure took the same path 
she had traveled. 

The start Karin had gained was indeed great ; but 
Thure had long legs, and ought to be able to catch up* 
wdtli her. He made the best speed that he was able, I 
and "when Karin was at the edge of the wood-only'j 
eight or ten rods lay between them. 

‘‘What in heaven’s name does this mean ?”;.exclaim- * 
ed Johanna, when she descended the steps to go down 
to the brew-house. 

“ Martha,” cried she, “ who are those walking over 
• there?” 

“ Froken Karin and Herr Thure, I think,” answered 
Martha ; “ but one can’t see so exactly, although the 
moon shines bright.” 

“ Thure and Karin !” exclaimed Johanna. She hur- 
ried back in the house, and wxnt up stairs to see 
whether Karin lay in her bed, or if she had gone out. 

Karin was not in her bed. Karin was out. 

Hot the slightest suspicion had little Karin that she 
was followed, neither that aunt Johanna found with 
resentment and displeasure that she was not in her 
room ; but she continued her way through the tall and 
dark pine forest, which in the moonlight had some- 
thing ghostly. She walked with light steps, without 
casting a glance back. When she came out of the 
wood, she had on the right a large, fine, peasant s 
5 * 


106 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Louse, called Grangarden, her destination. She opened 
the door and entered the large stuga.”'^ 

There were several women at work, and a blazing 
fire burned on the hearth. 

‘‘Merry Christmas, mother Yeronica,” greeted 
Karin. “ Is Pehr at home An elderly, stout wo- 
man nodded good-naturedly as she answered : — 

“Yes, he is so, God bless you, little Frdken. Pehr 
is in the chamber.” Veronica pointed to the door of 
the room mentioned. 

Karin went in without further conversation, and 
closed the door behind her. "We do not consider that 
we ought to be guilty of the incivility of intruding 
against her will, so we will stay outside and see what 
became of Thure. 

He saw Karin go into Pehr’s house, but did not fol- 
low her ; he concealed himself in the shadow of a 
shed. 

Hay began to dawn when Karin, accompanied by 
Pehr, started on her way homeward. 

“ I promise you that the matter shall be thoroughly ^ 
attended to,” Thure heard Pehr say, as they passed by i 
him; “you know, Frdken, that I can keep silent, for 
haven’t I done so for the three years in which we have 
had our little privacy ?” Pehr laughed and then 
added: — shall now go with you through' the wood, 
for it is not quite safe, for the w^olves, I must tell you. 
We saw traces of them early this morning.” 

Pehr and Karin went together. 

“ ‘Our privacy ” repeated Thure, leaving his hiding- ; 
place. “ What does that mean ? I greatly wonder i 
whether mother Yeronica knows about it? The old 


*The main room in a peasant’s house 


LITTLE KARIN. 


107 


woman generally finds out wliat is passing around lier, 
and I would give anything to discover Karin’s secret, 
it may possibly become a weapon of defense against 
her.” 

A few seconds after Pebr and Karin’s departure, the 
door of the ‘‘ stuga ” again opened and Tbure entered. 
Y eronica at that moment was lifting a large cofiee-pot > 
from the fire. 

Tbure greeted the old woman, wished her a merry 
Christmas, and then asked whether Pehr was at home. 

“ He went out just now,” replied Yeronica ; ^4f you 
will warm yourself a little, sir, by the fire and wait, he 
will be back directly.” 

The notary found the invitation good, and also ac- 
cepted the cup of coffee mother Yeronica offered him, 
with gratitude. 

He had always stood particularly well with the old 
woman, and it was therefore easy enough for him tq 
get into conversation with her. Tbure was skillful iq 
asking questions. He soon ascertained that Karin 
often made visits to Grangarden. 

She has business with Pehr, you see,” said Yeron- 
ica, but that business she does not wish any one at 
Ekholmen to know about, and therefore it is best for 
me to keep silent on the subject.” Yeronica winked, 
and indicated thereby, that if the servant girls had not 
had ears, she would have told Tbure what the business 
was. 

A little while afterwards the servant girls went oiit^ 
and Tbure then begged Yeronica to tell him, all about 
the important afiair. 

“Proken Karin puts money in the savings-bank, but 
she does not wish any one there at home to know it. 


108 


LITTLE KARIN. 


I have just found out the secret to-daj, but I will cer- 
tainly keep it to myself ; and then she does fancy-work 
for a store in the city, and Pehr attends to it all.” 

Pehr now entered and Thure was obliged to desist 
from any further interrogation. 

The whole way home he pondered upon what Yer- 
onica had said. Karin sew^ed for a store in the city. 
"When did she do it ? She put money in the savings- 
bank. Why did she do all this ? 

With his thoughts engrossed by these questions, he 
entered the hall at Ekholmen and was just going to as- 
cend the stairs, when Johanna stepped out of the sa- 
loon. Her face had a higher color than was natural 
on the cold winter morning, and her eyes shone with 
anything but a mild expression when she said : — 

“ Come in the saloon, I must talk with you.” 

Thure obej^ed the call wdth a mien which indicated 
that he dreaded some rather disagreeable scene. 

“ Be so good as to explain the cause of your and 
Karin’s early promenade,” began Johanna with impos- 
ing solemnity. ‘‘ I suppose you realize that I cannot 
allow such an impropriety, as for a young man and a 
young woman to roam around the country early in the 
morning ?” 

“ W e did not go out together,” said Thure, annoyed 
by the examination, and inwardly cursing his heedless- 
ness in running after Karin when it was bright moon- 
light. 

“What sort of an evasion is that?” exclaimed Jo- 
hanna. “ If you try to go around the matter, I shall 
mention it to my brother. I did not think,” contin- 
ued she, in a trembling voice, “ that your affection for 
me was so slight that you w^ould even fail in frankness. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


109 


Do not force me to treat you like a stranger, you, for 
whom I have cherished so much good-will.” 

J ohanna pressed her handkerchief to her eyes and 
sank down on a chair. She knew by experience what 
a little flood of tears can do, when it flows at the right 
moment. What it might have accomplished in this 
instance is uncertain, for the door opened violently and 
Karin came rushing in, holding a magnificent bouquet 
of flowers in her hand. 

She stopped abruptly ; looked now at Johanna, now 
at Thure. The former rose from her seat ; the latter 
had an air as if he intended to fly out of the window, 
as Karin had closed the retreat through the door. 

“What is going on?” asked Karin. “I believe 
Thure is getting a scolding, poor boy, what has he 
done?” 

“And you ask that!” cried Johanna, irritated 
at being disturbed at the instant when slie hoped to 
hear Thure’s repentant explanation. 

“ And why are you surprised at my asking ?” re- 
turned Karin. 

“Because I have just now been representing to 
Thure the impropriety of you and he taking prome- 
nades early in the morning. To-day I became an eye- 
witness to your trotting over to the wood.” 

Karin burst into a laugh. Thure became red in the 
face, and Johanna had a good mind to take hold of the 
tantalizing girl, who found everything comical. 

“Dear, sweet aunt, don’t let that vex you,” said 
Karin at length, when her merriment had subsided. 
“ To-day is the first time we have been out in the 
morning, and you ought to guess the reason when I re- 
mind you that it is tlie day before Christmas. This 


110 


LITTLE KARIN. 


bouquet, wliicli I bave been commissioned to place on 
your plate at the breakfast- table, ought to testify that 
we have had you in our thoughts. Well, dear aunt, 
I hope you are no longer angry with Thure, he looks 
so miserable, the poor fellow. You certainly ought to 
see that if he does not obtain forgiveness, he cannot 
possibly swallow a single mouthful during the whole 
holidays, and that would be a pity, for the good food’s 
sake. Remember, that on the day before Christmas 
people are not called to account for what they say and 
do.” 

Karin handed Johanna the bouquet, and the good 
lady’s anger faded away at the sight of the lovely 
flowers in the middle of winter. 

“ From whom is this ?” asked she, concealing her 
nose in the bosom of the flowers. 

“ I am forbidden to tell,” answered Karin. ‘‘ Ask 
Thure, he went to Pehr Gran to get it.” 

Johanna gave Thure a glance, which said plainly 
that she suspected him. The poor boy thereby acquir- 
ed a truly pitiable aspect. 

“ Gracious ! what beautiful flowers ! what beautiful 
flowers !” several voices were heard to exclaim. In 
came Elias, Lisbeth and Constantin. The latter be- 
came ashy gray in the face, when he saw the handsome 
bouquet in Johanna’s hands. 

“ From whom did you receive these flowers of sum- 
mer, aunt asked Lisbeth, with a slight shade of en- 
vy. “Ah, how fortunate you are to have it bestowed 
upon you.” 

“ Karin says that she was commissioned to put the 
bouquet on my plate, but she refuses to name the giver. 
She asserts that she got the flowers from Pehr at Gran- 
garden. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Ill 


Constantin and Karin’s eyes met ; there was much 
in the glance they exchanged. 

Breakfast was over. They all separated, in order 
that they might occupy themselves with Christmas 
gifts. 

Karin, however, remained in the saloon ; Constantin 
also. 

They were no sooner alone than Karin said : 

“ I know what you wish to say. My explanation is, 
if the bouquet had been placed on Lisbeth’s plate, its 
contents would also have been discovered. Uncle would 
have fallen in a passion, aunt likewise, and you would 
have been forced to leave Ekholmen post-haste. Uncle 
detests all secret love-intrigues ; he only wishes to 
know of earnest suitors, and I suppose that it is not 
yet your intention to offer my sister your heart and 
hand ?” 

Assume that I did intend to do it, that ” 

The bouquet and this little jeweled ring formed 
the prelude to a declaration,” interrupted Karin. “ Yes, 
then you ought to thank me especially for averting the 
unpleasantness of getting the mitten.” 

“You go too far, Frbken Karin, in your self -assum- 
ed rights, when you meddle in other’s affairs,” exclaim- 
ed Constantin, with heat. 

I do not go too far, I only prevent disagreeable 
occurrences.” Karin went to the young man, offered 
him her hand and continued with a friendly smile, 
“do not be angry with me, but assume that I saved 
you from great embarrassment and us all from a tedi- 
ous Christmas. Your flowers only do good in the 
hands where they now are. The ring here you must 
take back. Bear in mind that one ought never to 


112 


LITTLE KARIN. 


smuggle jewels among flowers until lie lias pressed liis 
suit and received a positive yes. Let us now conclude 
jieace, and become good friends as well as faithful 
neighbors.” 

Constantin’s eyes were again fastened upon little 
Karin. She was charming, as she stood there and 
handed him the mute present, which, he noAV realized, 
would have produced great scandal if it had reached 
her^ w^ho was to have been made happy with it. 

Constantin seized Karin’s hand and took the ring, 
saying, almost politely : — 

‘‘I thank you, Froken Karin, for the lesson; it shall 
not be forgotten. You are a strange girl. Wise and 
yet childish, full of foresight and yet heedless. I 
would be glad to be your friend, but I fear that I shall 
not be able to remain it long.” 

“ Through the holidays at least ; afterwards we can 
begin our hostilities again if it amuses you,” answered 
Karin. “Adieu now, I am going to put my Christ- 
mas gifts in order.” 


CHAPTEE X. 



his question. 


AY I come in ?’’ asked Elias, entering Karin’s 
room before she had time to respond to 


“ Yon either may or may not, as yon are now in 
if I am not mistaken,” said Karin. “ So a prohibition 
avails nothing.” 

“ I have only a few words to say.” 

“ So much the better. Speak quickly and then go 
your way.” 

“ It is now the day before Christmas,” began Elias. 

“ Good gracious, was it to say this, that you came 
and disturbed me ?” Karin looked at him and shook 
her head. “ It is not particularly easy for you to in- 
troduce the conversation, I perceive.” 

“Wait a little, Karin, and you shall have the rest. 
I did indeed wish to say that upon this day all child- 
ren are accustomed to be obedient and good, in order 
to get their reward in the evening. Will you to-day 
be real obedient to your mentor ?” 

“ What will I then get in the evening?” 

“Yarious nice little things which I brought home 
from Xorway.” 

“ I am not satisfied with that, as I would have 
them just the same if I were not good.” 


113 


114 


LITTLE KARIN. 


“ Then ask some extra reward.” 

And you will give it to me?” 

Yes, upon my honor.” 

I then ask fifty rix thalers out of the two hun- 
dred you received from uncle.” 

Elias looked at her quite astonished. 

‘‘ But you received one hundred thalers from him 
yourself, did you not ?” 

“ What then ? That does not hinder me from need- 
ing fifty more.” 

Elias had a displeased expression. 

Are you avaricious ?” asked Karin. 

“ Certainly not, hut you are. I will fulfill your de- 
sire ; although it plagues me that you on all occasions 
covet money. Tell me, Karin, what do you do with 
all you get from uncle, and also have for your cloth- 
ing ?” 

That is my secret and I do not owe anybody an 
account of it.” 

“Kot at all, but it unavoidably seems very strange 
that you, a young, light-hearted and soul-full girl, 
have no other desire than that of procuring money. 
You and Lisbeth have an equal amount for your ward- 
robe, yet she is elegantly, you humbly Mtired, Be- 
sides you abstain from coffee and take money instead. 
You have begged a little piece of land, in order to sell 
what grows there to aunt Johanna. You never do a 
service, either to me or Lisbeth, without asking pay 
for it ; you often take money from uncle instead of the 
gifts he intended for you, on your christening or birth- 
days. In short, you set aside everything, sacrifice 
everything, if you can thereby acquire an ever so 
slight pecuniary gain. Admit that this must excite 


LITTLE KAKIN. 


115 


wonder, especially as you hare not always been so. 
Your desire for gain showed itself first at fourteen 
years of age, but has since then increased to an alarm- 
ing extent. Tell me, Karin, what do you do with 
your money 

“ I save it,” replied Karin, without looking at Elias. 

‘‘ And for what purpose V’ 

That I neither can nor will say. May it be sufii- 
cient for you, that my greatest joy is the accumulation 
of a little capital. I willingly deny myself fine clothes 
and everything that delights Lisbeth, for the pleasure 
of laying up what all this finery would have cost and 
finally getting a large sum from all these little ones.” 

A pause ensued. Elias did not look satisfied ; after 
a moment he passed his hand over his brow, as if to 
dispel a disagreeable thought ; then he said : — 

Well, I will give you fifty thalers, but on the con- 
dition that you obey my advice and follow my direc- 
tions to the letter.” 

“ So be it, as this is our first large business transac- 
tion. Kow let me hear your wise advice and stern 
directions.” 

“ To begin with, you must make a few slight changes 
in your attire, so that you become well but simply 
dressed, and not, as at Bratbacken, look as though you 
had risen from your work and gone out, without 
changing your every-day apparel for that suitable for 
a party.” 

Karin smiled and promised to be obedient if it did 
not cost anything. 

Elias then gave some little hints about various things 
that would become her. She ought not to wear those 
eternal gray dresses, or those horrid homespun aprons, 
which were always askew, or those rnffies around the 


116 


LITTLE KARIN. 


neck, which gave her the appearance of a child that 
was going to he christened ; she ought not to do her 
obstinate hair up in such a careless way, which result- 
ed in its flying around her ears, etc, etc. 

“Just think, Karin, if you flxed your hair like this,” 
said he, taking out a card photograph, which he show- 
ed her. 

“ Elias, that is — that is — ’’Karin could not, from 
utter amazement, get out who it w^as. 

“You yourself,” interrupted Elias, laughing. 

“ But I have never in all my life had my hair dress- 
ed like that,” declared she. “ How then could it have 
become so on the card ?” 

“That is my work. I have placed your face on the 
photograph of a young girl, whose hair was arranged 
like that ; then I had an impression taken and so it 
made a very pretty ffirl of you. Well, what do you 
think of yourself?” 

Karin blushed and pushed away the card. 

“ I do not like that card at all,” said she, “ and wish 
to get rid of seeing it.” 

Elias put the card in his note-book and began to 
speak of Karin’s manner, which was also very thor- 
oughly criticised. 

That she was joyous, wild and full of pranks, Elias 
found commendable ; but that she was impolite and 
sharp towards Thure, he considered a fault which she 
must lay aside. 

Karin said, laughing, that this was the hardest of all. 
Still she would endeavor, as much as she considered 
suitable. He must not forget that she had Thure on 
her reform list, and she was obliged to follow the plan 
she had devised. She promised, however, not to at- 
tack Thure, so that any one heard it. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


117 


111 the evening, when they all assembled, aunt Jo- 
hanna received two surprises ; one, that the justice came 
to spend the evening with them, invited by the judge, 
at Karin’s secret advice ; the second, that Karin ap- 
peared simply, but tastefully dressed, with her hair so 
well arranged, that Johanna thought with a sigh: — • 

“ Oh dear, I believe that young one will also become 
good looking.” 

The little fright was not ugly that evening, and 
what was more, the little fright was truly engaging in 
her manner. She was gay and cheerful, but without 
indulging in any spiteful flings. She was amiability 
itself, even towards Thure. 

It was something new for Karin not to have a word 
of fault found with her. They usually wrote pretty 
sharp censure on her Christmas presents. But now 
they had refrained from it, as if by agreement. Karin 
found it very pleasant to get rid of being a target for 
the others’ wit and sarcasm. They made no remarks 
at all about her hair, dress, appearance or behavior 
Kever had these opprobrious words pained her, but it 
is very certain, that she now found it delightful to be 
freed from them. 

Christmas eve passed pleasantly ; all were in good 
spirits, Thure perhaps the least. 

After all the gifts were distributed, the inmates of 
the house, with the exception of the gentlemen board- 
ers, were in the habit of receiving a sealed letter from 
tlie judge, with the Christmas money enclosed. This 
year, also, he presented these welcome billets to all, 
except Karin. 

“ Your Christmas money, my dear girl, jmu will 
And up in your room, when you retire,” said he, look- 
ing very roguish. 


118 


LITTLE KAKIN. 


Karin’s happy face became overcast. 

In a little while they separated. 

When the girls entered their room, it was far into 
the night. Karin started back, for on her bed lay 
something that resembled a person. When she recov- 
ered herself and went to see what it was, she found it 
to be a light blue silk dress, beautiful and simple. On 
the waist, fastened with a gold brooch, was a paper, 
upon which the judge had written these words : — 

‘‘ This instead of money. IJncle no longer wishes 
to be ashamed of his little girl’s attire, when she is 
out.” 

Karin dropped the scrap of paper and sank down in 
a chair. 

Are you not delighted ?” exclaimed Lisbeth, hold- 
ing up the lovely dress, so that Karin could see it. 

Karin put her hands before her eyes ; she burst into 
tears, something which frightened Lisbeth. She had 
not seen Karin cry since their mother died. 

Why do you weep ?” exclaimed Lisbeth anxiously, 

“ Can I make any use. of that dress ?” said Karin. 

Can I get any principal or any interest from it, can 
I — .” She checked herself and added : — “ I shall feel 
very unhappy when I wear it. I, a poor girl, who 
lives from uncle’s kindness, will be rigged out in silk ; 
how much better to save the money.” 

Lisbeth came near dropping the dress. She stared 
at her sister and repeated, as if she could not believe 
her ears : 

“ Principal and interest, save the money !” 

“ W ell, how does Karin like the surprise asked 
Johanna, who just then peeped into the room. 

‘‘She is weeping,” answered Lisbeth. Johanna 
clasped her hands and looked perfectly amazed. 


CHAPTER XI. 



X Christmas, when the young people came 
from morning prayers at church, Lisbeth was 
called in to the judge. 

Does Karin like her present V’ asked he. 

“ Xot at all. She cried half the night,” replied 
Lisbeth. 

“ What did she say V’ 

Lisbeth repeated almost word for word what Karin 
had said. The judge rubbed his hands, patted Lisbeth 
on the cheek and told her to send Karin to him imme- 
diately. 

With her hair disordered, clad in a shabby gray 
wrapper, with a ruffle around the neck, Karin entered, 
not tripping and dancing as usual, but slowly and with 
downcast eyes. 

“ How cursedly forlorn and slovenly you look. Has 
the minister spoken against vanity, as you seem so out 
of sorts ? W ell, will you not say as much as thank you, 
for the dress you received ?” 

Karin put her arms around his neck, pressed her 
face against his shoulder and whispered quite sadly : — 

“ You good, kind uncle, I thank you f but then she 
began to sob. 


120 


LITTLE KARIN. 


What the d , girl, do yon weep because I give 

you a beautiful dress'^ Are you displeased with it?” 

“ I am sorry that you gave me that and not the 
money,” stammered Karin. 

“Elias asked me to make this change. You do not 
need money ; but you do need to he properly dressed. 
I must say, that I consider it cursedly annoying, for 
you to appear in clothes which might befit my servant- 
girl and not my foster-daughter. I will not hear of 
your looking like a wench. I have told you so seve- 
ral times, and yet you do not heed my desire. I have 
also wished to give you ornaments and clothes like Lis- 
beth, but you have begged and beseeched to have 
money, and so you have had your will, although al- 
ways with the injunction that you should purchase 
what you needed, but you have bought nothing at 
all. Kow I am tired of all the remarks your course of 
action has called forth, and therefore it is my positive 
will that you use what I give you. You shall not 
have any large sum of money hereafter.” 

Karin sank down on a stool at his feet and leaned 
her head against his knee, while the tears streamed 
down her cheeks. She whispered quite low : — 

“ Why did Elias do this to me ?” 

“.Karin,” said the judge, quite seriously, “ dry your 
tears ; I detest to see people weep for nothing ; sj)are 
your sorrow for a more suitable occasion.” 

The young girl wiped away her tears, but however 
much she did so, her eyes constantly refilled. 

“Kow listen to what I say,” resumed the judge, “it 
is my will that you wear your blue silk dress during 
the holidays ; that you do not show yourself in your 
cotton rags, but dress according to the time of year. 


LITTLE KARIN. 121 

1 desire to be obeyed this time. Yon must learn to 
have respect for my commands.” 

I promise it,” faltered Karin, perfectly dismayed 
at the tone with which the judge addressed her. 

And now, my little girl, I wish to see you happy 
again. Here is the watch you received from me the 
first time you partook of the sacrament, but which 
you gave back to me with the request to have the 
money it was worth. You shall wear it in memory of 
me and your first Lord’s Supper. I now present it to 
you for the second time.” 

Karin received it with such a troubled look, that the 
judge felt quite discomposed. When she, as thanks 
for the gift, kissed his hand, he drew her to him and 
could. with etfort get forth these words: — 

‘‘ You are a naughty child, and distress your old 
uncle when he tries to make you happy. Go, leave 
me.” 

He pushed her hastily away, went into his inner 
room and closed the door behind him. 

On reaching the hall Karin heard Johanna tell Mar- 
tha to hurry up with the breakfast, so that those who 
intended to go to church again would have time to eat. 

AYlien Karin had gone up stairs, she opened the rath- 
er large hunting-case, to see what time it was ; but 
screamed with delight as she did so, closed it again, 
flew like a hurricane down stairs and in to the judge. 

“Uncle, uncle, dear, beloved uncle, what shall I do; 
how shall I be able to show you my gratitude ; how 
afford you any joy ?” screamed she. 

“How?” repeated the judge, clasping the young 

girl to his bosom. “ The d , by always remaining 

my little pet.” 


122 


LITTLE KARIN. ' 


Karin laughed and wept at the same time. She 
kissed and hugged the judge and finally took a hun- 
dred thaler note from the watch-cas.e and danced around 
the room with it, saying : — 

“ It is mine, it is mine, it is mine, it is mine.” 

‘* And the watch, too !” joined in the judge. 

‘‘ So be it, as it is your wish, uncle,” said Karin, hut 
then added in an entreating tone, ‘‘ if you really desire 
that I shall remain your little pet, do not give me any 
more costly dresses and trinkets. You will see, that I 
will nevertheless be neat and well dressed henceforth. 
You have given me a very severe lesson.” 

“With the exception of the dress you have now re- 
ceived, you will be spared from any more,” answered 
her uncle. 

At breakfast Karin was more cheerful than usual. 
She was dressed with care and looked real sweet. To- 
wards Elias, however, she showed herself brusque ; but 
after a while she seemed to have forgotten all that had 
troubled her. 

That day there was ^ grand dinner at the parsonage, 
and a second-day dinner, with a party in the evening, 
at Ekholmen. 

Both days Karin appeared in her blue silk dress. 
She was so unlike herself, that all the neighbors won- 
dered that the little fright could look so nice. 

In complete opposition to conventional require- 
ments, to the resentment and surprise of Lisbeth and 
the other beautiful girls, Elias opened the ball with 
Karin. 

As long back as Karin could remember, it had never 
happened before that she had danced the first waltz 
with any young man, but she had generally been 


LITTLE KARIN. 


123 


obliged to begin and also end with playing cavalier to 
ladies younger than she was herself. Still she could 
not deny that it was very much pleasanter to dance 
with Elias than with children ; but she resolved not- 
withstanding not to let prosperity make her forgetful 
of the fact, that it was her duty to amuse the young 
flock overlooked by the gentlemen, who would other- 
wise only have a chance to dance in case of necessity. 

When the waltz^ was ended and Elias led her into 
the drawing-room, she whispered with a mocking 
smile : — 

“ What a magnet a blue silk dress can become ! I 
have it to thank, that you, the greatest dancer in the 
neighborhood, have opened the ball with me. I shall 
not forget it.” 

You are unjust, Karin, I have always been in the 
habit of dancing with you.” 

“Kever the first waltz, and that you always dance 
with me is an assertion which will bear various mod- 
ifications. At Bratbacken, for example, you forgot 
me entirely. My homely dress was decidedly the 
cause of this neglect.” 

You do not think that,” rejoined Elias, “ it was 
something else that occasioned my neglect that time.” 

Here they were interrupted by Constantin, who 
came to invite Karin to dance. 

‘‘ Perhaps you are already engaged ?” asked he 
rather spitefully. 

“ Ko, but I have invited somebody,” replied Karin. 

I thought I had once for all absolved you from 
the duty of dancing with me ; why then persist in tor- 
menting yourself ? We have been good friends and 
faithful neighbors ever since Christmas eve ; what is 


124 : 


LITTLE KARIN. 


tlie use of acting a part ? Dance with Lisbeth and 
the other young ladies and do not think of me at all.” 

• cannot do that, because I do not wish to,” 
responded Constantin, and therefore, I beg ot you, 
give me the polka which is now striking up.” 

“ And my little girls, who without me will not be 
able to dance, I cannot leave them to their fate.” 

“I promise to dance with some of them, if I only 
get this polka.” 

“ With how many ? ” asked Karin. 

‘‘ Half-r.-dozen, if it is required.” 

Karin laughed and accompanied Constantin. 

Aunt Johanna again saw Karin on the floor and 
that too with Constantin. This sight did not please 
her at all. It was quite enough that Lisbeth, through 
her beauty, drew all the attention of the gentlemen, 
but it was absolutely unbearable if Karin, too, should 
excite their interest. If Karin continued to care for 
her appearance as she had done for the last three days, 
she might become very dangerous. This was fully 
realized by Johanna, who for the time saw everything 
in the darkest colors. She would never be able to 
witness how that young one romped in the galop and 
polka, without becoming ^nelancholy. She was for- 
bidden by her brother Magnus to take part in these 
dances — a prohibition which she considered unreason- 
Me, it is true, but did not dare to infringe. When 
she now, to cap the climax, saw Karin and Constantin, 
Thure and Lisbeth, she had a suflbcating feeling and 
hastened away from the dancing hall, in order to 
make herself agreeable as hostess in the drawing-room. 

She cast a searching glance in the large mirrors, and 
it then seemed to her that she did not look to be 


LITTLE KARIN. 


125 


more than twenty-eight at the most, and that there 
was some one else who had the same idea, she had 
known since Christmas eve. This some one was 
Thure, for it could not be any other person who had 
given her the little hand-glass of silver, with the 
verse : — 

“ Scan each feature of your face, 

And like me you then will say 
' That you’re not over twenty-five a day, 

With your beauty and your grace.” 

To be sure Thure had denied it ; but he looked con- 
fused when he did so, and as no one else wished to 
acknowledge the gift, Johanna took it for granted that 
the dear boy was entitled to her thanks. The glance 
in the mirror and the recollection of the verse put 
Johanna in a good humor again. 

The polka was over, and Karin conducted Constantin 
to a girl of thirteen, who became very glad when he 
asked her to dance with him. Karin delivered him, 
however, from dancing with any more of her proteges. 
After that she hastened to look up Lisbeth, whom she 
missed in the circle of young ladies. 

“ I have my suspicions that she has withdrawn into 
the little cabinet,” thought Karin, “ and that silly 
Thure has probably followed her, as aunt Johanna is 
taken up with her ex-suitor, the rector.” 

With light, almost noiseless steps, Karin entered 
the cabinet. There she found her sister and Thure, 
the latter engaged in clasping Lisbeth’s bracelet. Nei- 
ther of them observed Karin ; she stopped on the 
threshold, almost concealed by the door-hangings. 

“ So you do not wish to acknowledge the truth,” 
said Lisbeth in a tone half resentful, half jesting, and 


126 


LITTLE KARIN. 


yet it was on tills condition that you obtained the 
polka, which I had promised Lieutenant Brim.” 

“ I have told you the truth,” declared Thure, “ and 
I swear most sacredly, that every word is in accord- 
ance with the actual facts. He told me to write 
that stupid verse, because he did not wish aunt to 
guess the right giver.” 

“ But he denied it, when I asked him.” 

‘‘ Do you believe him more than me, Lisbeth ?” 

“I do ; but good heavens, how you bungle ; I will 
fasten the bracelet myself.” 

She tried to draw her arm away, but Thure held it 
fast. 

“ I will clasp the bracelet,” and the next instant it 
was done. He then let go of her arm ; she looked up 
at him, and made a motion as if to go, but Thure took 
one of the gloved hands, clasped it in his, and said : — 

“ What a pity, Lisbeth, that we do not dare to act 
openly.” 

“ Pity, and for whom ?” asked Lisbeth. 

“ For us both.” 

A silk dress rustled in the room behind Karin, who 
at the sound, rushed in to the two speakers. Thure 
dropped Lisbeth’s hand, and Karin exclaimed : 

“ See here, Lisbeth, come, you must be hostess to 
the large girls ; I have enough with the little ones.” 

Just then aunt Johanna sailed into the cabinet with 
a lofty bearing. Her cheeks burned and her eyes 
flashed, as she uttered in a passionate tone : — 

“ You behave like girls without any breeding, when 
you entirely forget the duty toward your guests. It 
seems to me that Thure and you meet daily, and can 
then talk together, without needing to go out of sight 


LITTLE KAKIN. 


127 


just now to discuss your secrets. The next thing, we 
will hear people talk about the incivility of the young 
folks at Ekholmen.” 

“That will not happen,” replied Lisbeth, hastily, 
“ and I do not believe that any one can make remarks 
because we have tarried here a moment. One must 
have private reasons for taking offense at it.” 

Lisbeth floated out of the room, and Karin raised 
her finger threateningly at Thure, exclaiming : 

“ Make haste and get a partner, else it will never 
go well with your reputation as an agreeable cavalier ; 
I now fly to my children.” 

Karin retired through the same door by which she 
had entered, but stopped an instant at the side of the 
curtains. 

“ It greatly surprises me, my dear Thure, that you 
should have brought Lisbeth here after the dance,” 
said Johanna with a trembling voice, 

“I did it because Lisbeth’s bracelet had become 
unclasped, and she wished to have it fastened,” answer- 
ed Thure in an evasive tone. 

“ Could no one else but you fasten the bracelet on 
her arm ?” asked Johanna, and her voice sounded still 
more nervous. 

“ No, there was a spring that had to be bent,” replied 
Thure with the same meekness. “ If I have displeased 
you in any way, aunt, I beg your forgiveness ; my 
highest desire is to please you in all things.” 

“ The hypocrite,” muttered Karin, “ now he will wait 
upon aunt with his compliance and devotion ; just now 
it was Lisbeth, and yet he is in love with a third ; I de- 
test him.” 

Constantin came in the parlor, where Karin stood. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


128 

“ If you are looking for Thure, he is in there,” said 
Karin in so loud a voice that those in the cabinet 
heard her. 

‘‘ I wish to have him for an opposite partner,” an- 
swered Constantin, and. went in the cabinet. Karin 
hastened out to the children. She soon had them up 
in the dance, and refused an invitation herself from the 
pastor’s assistant, in order to dance with the young 
people and get them thoroughly animated. 

When the third waltz was struck- up, Thure asked : 

.“Will you waltz with me, Karin?” 

“ Why not ? It may be pleasant enough to rest from 
playing gentleman, especially as you dance well. I 
think you will be forced to give up waltzing right 
soon.” 

“ And the reason ?” 

“ Aunt Johanna certainly does not intend to permit 
you, as her husband, to whirl around with young girls. 
If one takes to himself a forty-four years old wife 
when he is not more than thirty, it becomes necessary 
to adopt an old man’s habits.” 

Thure had taken Karin’s hand to lead her out in the 
dancing hall, but dropped it. lie straightened himself 
up to his full height and gave her an indignant glance. 

“When do you intend to cease this improper ban> 
ter?” asked he in a suppressed voice. 

“ When you cease to act like a miserable coward and 
feign feelings which you do not entertain,” answered 
Karin, in a positive tone. “I consider your behavior 
contemptible. In order to stand well with aunt, you 
flatter her weakness and give yourself the appearance 
of being captivated, and that notwithstanding you are 
attached to some one else. As long as you play this 


LITTLE KAPvIN. 


129 


paltry role^ I mean to make fun of it before every- 
body and on all occasions. Aunt is too good to be 
used as a plaything for you.” 

“ Stop, Karin, don’t continue further. It may end 
ill, and I will now tell you, what I have long desired 
to declare, that if you do not cease your annoying rail- 
lery, I will turn to your uncle and inform him that I 
cannot stay at Ekholmen.” 

“Would you dare to complain to uncle of me, his 
favorite Karin began to laugh. “ Ah, I am not 
afraid of that. You are altogether too anxious to be 
on good terms with him to do any such thing. And 
before you could prevail upon yourself to leave Ek- 
holmen as well as the prospects you there have for 
your future, you would let me thrash you.” 

“ Enough,” exclaimed Thure, brought to an extreme, 
“your uncle shall become arbiter between us.” 

He seized her by the arm and added, with much 
force : 

“ Kot a word more, Karin ; the waltz is struck up, 
let us not neglect it.” Karin’s arm was laid in his and 
they went out in the dancing hall, while he continued : — 
“Mark well, I do not intend to stand your meddling 
ill my private life any longer. This seK-assumed 
guardianship must end.” 

“ Most assuredly it will, vrhen you, through your 
acts, have succeeded in inspiring my respect and not the 
reverse.” 

Thure’s only answer consisted in waltzing out with 
her. 

“ It looks as if you meant to dance the life out of 
your lady, Thure,” Elias once cried to him. “ Do not 
dance so wildly ; think of Karin,” 

6 * 


CHAPTEK XII. 



"HE ball was over, the guests gone, and all 
was quiet at Ekliolmen. 

Thure walked to and fro in his chamber. 

After his conversation with Karin, he had 
danced like a madman, drank freely at supper, and 
for the first time in his life forgotten the moderation, 
prudence and composure he usually so strictly main- 
tained. The excitement was now over, the blood no 
longer boiled like fire in his veins, reason had again 
awakened ; resentment, pain and wounded pride lacera- 
ted his soul. 

He reviewed what Karin had that evening said, and 
at this his resentment only increased. He asked him- 
self why he endured her ironical taunts, and he was 
obliged to admit, to his own humiliation, that he did 
it because she was the old man’s favorite. Was she 
then right in her assertion that he was a miserable 
coward? He found notliing at this moment as an 
excuse for his long-suffering. 

Toward aunt Johanna he had not been able to act 
otherwise than he had done. He had a secret to 
conceal, and it was the fear that this w’ould come to 
light, that made him appear like a base flatterer, a 
130 


LITTLE KARIN. 


131 


cringing eye-servant. But now Thure could no lon- 
ger bear it ; he must leave Ekholmen, even if this step 
annihilated all his future hopes. As soon as they 
were again astir in the house he would speak with 
the old judge. 

At the breakfast table the following morning, 
almost all were in a more or less bad humor. 

Lisbeth had disappointed Constantin in a dance the 
previous evening — something that still angered him. 
Aunt Johanna was entirely out of humor, because 
Thure had not engaged her for a single francaise, but 
had avoided her after their interrupted conversation 
in the cabinet. She threw her gibes right and left, 
and as Lisbeth’s nerves were in a sensitive state, she 
took to herself all that Johanna said and repaid her in 
the same coin. 

Elias and Karin tried to mediate, but received 
sharp retorts as a reward for their pains. Thure 
looked like a thunder-cloud, and the judge was unusu- 
ally absent-minded. 

Ko one felt disposed to open a conversation ; but 
when breakfast was over, all fled to their own rooms 
in order to sleep off their ill-temper. 

Karin and Lisbeth went up stairs together. Karin 
took her sister to task for forgetting her good resolu^ 
tion to never more take up arms against aunt Johanna. 

The girls had waged a very hot battle and after- 
wards concluded peace, when a message came from 
the judge, commanding Karin to go down immedi- 
ately. 

“ The moment is now at hand, when Thure has told 
tales,” exclaimed Karin, as she clapped ber hands 
with delight and ran down stairs. 


132 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Lisbetli leaned her head on her hand and mur- 
mured : 

“Thure! Yes, I have thought a good deal of 
Tlmre ; I do so still, but Elias is now most in my 
mind.” 

Karin presented herself, quite undaunted, before’ 
the judge, who with a stern aspect paced the floor. 
When she had closed the door after her, he stopped 
and looked at the young girl, saying : 

‘‘ I fear, Karin, that you are as malicious as you are 
greedy for money, which is to say a good deal, and 
should that fear be conflrmed it would pain me 
deeply. Why have you treated Thure with so little 
consideration that he can no longer feel able to have 
the same home as you ? ” 

“ That I will immediately explain,” said Karin. 
She threw her arms arouud the judge’s neck and 
added in a caressing tone : — You must never, never 
think that I am malicious, still less grieve over it. 
My malice and my cupidity shall never occasion you 
sorrow — that I promise. ISTow look me right in the 
eyes and tell me whether I look like a heartless miser. 

The judge was imprudent . enough to do as she bade 
him, and in an instant it was all over with his stern- 
ness. 

There, there, child,” said he, passing his hand over 
the upturned eyes, “ come and sit here ” — he drew 
her down on his knee — “ and explain your unpardon- 
able conduct to Thure.” 

Karin gave her explanation and accounted for her 
motives ; the result was that uncle Magnus deemed 
her a cursedly nice girl, who had acted right, but 
who nevertheless must not continue her method of 


LITTLE KARIN. 


133 


education upon Thure. She might drive him to some 
extreme, and this the judge did not by any means 
wish because he could not spare Thure ; and it was 
with the greatest effort that he had succeeded in 
inducing the deeply wounded young man to remain. 
Karin promised nothing, but said that it was not her 
intention to deprive her uncle of the incomparable 
Thure. 

The difficulty is now settled,” exclaimed Karin 
when she returned to her sister, ‘‘your Adonis is 
going to stay and I got rid of all scoldings. It went 
exactly as I predicted ; uncle put on a solemn air, but 
the end was that Thure is to remain where he is. 

Karin laughed, and sang in a clear voice as she 
danced before her sister : — 

“ Ah, Betty, what your eyes have done.” 


CHAPTEH XIII. 



^ HE snow liad melted ; the turf began to get 
green and the anemones nodded welcome to 
the spring. 

At Ekholmen winter had disappeared quite 
suddenly. It had been considerably more peaceful 
there than the preceding year. This was in a great 
degree Karin and Elias’ merit, for neither Johanna nor 
Lisbeth were amicably disposed towards each other or 
Karin either ; but the outbreaks were always checked 
at the very first symptoms. 

Lisbeth, it is true, continued to be the sun which 
attracted the young men’s admiration ; but Karin was 
no longer the little tantalizing fright, for she had 
become the one who shed joy all around her. Lisbeth 
had, in her sister, gained a rival who knew how to 
make it cheerful, even when Constantin was so ab- 
sorbed by his admiration for Lisbeth that he was ready 
to fall a prey to gloom. 

That Karin had entirely ceased to be a perverse 
child vexed aunt Johanna; that Thure did not 
constantly seek her society as before tormented her ; 
that Elias incessantly hung around Karin, irritated 
her : but she was unable to give vent to these feelings. 
134 


LITTLE KARIN. 


135 


At her least attempt to attack the girls, Elias remind- 
ed her of the agreement she had made, and she was 
obliged to keep silent. 

Karin was still the same lively and frolicsome child 
she had always been j but her manners were no longer 
so free and disagreeable, her attire no longer careless. 
The change was great, but it had occurred quite 
imperceptibly. She jested as much as ever, but the 
jest was not intended to wound; she laughed as 
heartily, yet not at others’ faults — ^rather at her own. 
She sang her songs with an equally clear voice, and 
flew through the rooms and up and down stairs 
precisely as in former days ; but she did not scream 
when she sang, or knock over tables, chairs and hu- 
man beings when she ran. She moved with ease, and 
showed in the midst of her gayety a certain good 
sense and moderation; and although her dress was 
plain it was so arranged that her slender little flgure 
looked trim, her little face pretty. 

It appeared to those around Karin when the spring 
came, as though the young girl, during the winter, 
had become entirely changed. All missed her when 
she was gone ; all were entertained by her when she 
was present. 

Thure paid her attentions which aunt Johanna 
found it very hard to put up with, especially as her ex- 
suitor, the justice, also devoted himself to Karin. 
He had ever since Christmas come to Ekholmen 
oftener than he used to, just as in the time when he 
was courting Johanna ; but now his visits did not 
seem to concern her ; the little fright was the object 
of them, and this was harder to bear than anything 
else. 


136 


LITTLE KARIN. 


To be sure Enkeman was suavity itself towards 
Johanna, but he chatted, laughed and occupied him- 
self only with Karin. He always said some flatter- 
ing words to Lisbeth about her beauty, and deported 
himself exactly like the young men — he, who before 
Christmas only saw and heard J ohanna. 

It seemed to Johanna that his old attachment 
became weaker and weaker at every visit, and this 
fancy filled her with such discontent that she had 
never felt so depressed before. The rejected lover 
acquired a new interest in her eyes, and she now 
thought as much of him as of Thure, and was, to 
speak plainly, equally jealous of them both. 

Thure had become so independent that it was 
really incomprehensible. He dared to contradict aunt 
Johanna and even “brother Magnus,” and this he had 
never done before. Johanna became very uneasy 
when she thought of all these changes. 

Elias was like himself and still continued to be her 
dear boy ; but it looked as if he would not be able to 
live without Karin, and that was not pleasant either. 
Thure was a certain consolation in the fact that tins 
seemed to trouble Lisbeth, but she had always Con- 
stantin, who adored her, while Johanna had no one, 
now that the justice had ceased to do so. 

Lisbeth exerted all her powers to be amiable 
towards Elias, and occasionally had the joy of being 
regarded by him with admiring looks; but if Karin 
came there was an end to it immediately. Lisbeth 
had to taste the bitter cup Johanna had drank when 
the latter was neglected by the gentlemen on her 
account. Without Lisbeth herself being aware of it, 
a certain bitterness arose within her towards Karin. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


13T 


The beautiful girl could not conceal from herself, that 
it was Karin who constituted Elias’ joy, even if he, 
for a brief space, allowed himself to be infatuated by 
her beauty. Karin, the little ugly Karin, had thus 
taken her place in his heart ; this was a painful 
thought, and Lisbeth could not forgive the one who 
called it forth. She made up her mind that she 
would yet become the idol before which Elias knelt. 

Lisbeth knew that Karin had one vulnerable point 
in her soul, which, when it was attacked, put her in a 
bad humor ; so Lisbeth directed all her efibrts towards 
this, and held up the weakness which she knew Elias 
did not like, namely, Karin’s love for money. 

Thure also had a great desire to exhibit Karin’s 
avarice on all occasions, and when he helped Lisbeth 
to ridicule this fault the result always was that Karin 
sat silent and sullen the remainder of the day. Then 
it became Lisbeth who alone spread cheerfulness 
around her, although she never succeeded in it as well 
as Karin. 

The consequence of Karin’s own sister constantly 
calling attention to this fault was, that each and all 
began to think of it more than they had done before. 
They considered it very remarkable, that a girl of 
eighteen so loved money that the desire for it vas 
more prominent than any other. They asked them- 
selves how she would be in years to come, when she 
already tried to turn everything into money and 
denied herself the pleasures and ornaments of her 
age — evervthing in fact, if she could thereby gain any 
pecuniary advantage however insignificant. She, the 
one so little inclined for work, could sit up at night 
and copy for Elias and Constantin, for the sake of the 


138 


LITTLE KARIN. 


compensation j slie even sewed in secret for a store in 
the city — all to earn money. 

Each and all made the mental inquiry, what does 
she do with this money ? ” but no one but Thure 
>had found out that it was deposited in the savings- 
bank. He knew that she put it there, that Pehr 
Gran was her agent in these business transactions, but 
why she made a secret of it he could not discover. 

Constantin very often said to Thure : 

“ Karin has become exceedingly agreeable ; it is too 
bad that she should be so avaricious.” 

Thure, on his side, declared many times, that it was 
absolutely abominable to think that Karin, behind a 
gay, light-hearted mask, concealed a calculating and 
self-interested character. 

“ She would positively be willing to sell body and 
soul, if any one offered her a round sum for them,” said 
he once when the conversation fell on Karin. “ She 
can do anything for money,” continued he, “ and if 
the justice offered himself with the fifty-six years 
over his head, she would take him in order to become 
rich and have the pleasure of adding principal to 
principal, and interest to interest.” 

“Can it actually be a possibility that little Karin 
loves money for money’s sake ? ” thought Elias, and 
when he a few hours afterwards heard Lisbeth rally 
Karin about her penuriousness in not wishing to pay 
twenty-five ore for some buttons for her new dress, 
and preferring to take those that Lisbeth had dis- 
carded, he fell into deep meditation over this trait in 
her character. 

“ She is a regular minister of finance,” thought the 
judge, when Karin had made her new dress herself 


LITTLE EARIN. 


139 


in order to keep the money he had given her to pay 
the dress-maker. One ought to put her to the test 
some fine day and see whether she is as firm as she is 
persevering. 

“ I confess,” exclaimed Johanna to Lisheth one day, 
that I begin to he anxious about Karin’s increasing 
self-interest, which has lately developed to a formid- 
able extent.” 

It was in reality no greater than it had been for the 
last four years ; but Lisbeth’s talk about it had caused 
everybody’s attention to be brought to it, and so they 
had begun to speak of it as soon as Karin’s name was 
mentioned. It went with Karin’s failing as with 
many others before her ; the more they commented 
upon it the greater it became, in the eyes of those 
who made it the subject of their reflections. 


CHAPTER XIY. 



LOHG tlie wood-path between Ekliolmen 
and Bratbacken walked Karin at a rapid 
pace, quite early one morning. She seemed 
to be in great haste. 

. Her face was as radiant as the sunshine, and her 
glance as open as the blue, expanse above her was free 
from clouds. An extreme inner satisfaction could be 
read in every feature. 

She began to sing a merry song, and, accompanied 
by Eido pursued her way with light steps. 

During the first part of the walk, Eido frisked 
around his mistress ; then he took a little excursion 
over the pasture, where some cattle were promenading 
to see what sort of herbage the sun had brought forth. 

Like all spoiled pets, Eido was saucy and mischiev- 
ous. The horned beasts appeared to him like crea- 
tures, towards which he might indulge in various 
little impertinences, without their having any^Hglit to 
consider themselves aifronted. On the contrary, such 
stupid brutes ought to feel flattered by having a beau- 
tiful little aristocratic dog bark at them. 

So Eido began to bound around them, barking with 

all hio might, and the dumb cows, who at first looked 
140 


LITTLE KARIN. 


141 


at tlie little animal with wonder, became irritated by 
his pranks and finally rushed infuriated towards him. 
This was shameful in the cattle ; but the shameful- 
ness had the result, that the aristocratic dog first 
became angry, and then so frightened that he fied in 
wild haste to his mistress for protection. 

In an instant Karin found herself surrounded by 
the enraged cattle, who seemed to wish to impale her 
little favorite upon their horns, regardless whether 
they impaled lier at the same time. Luckily for 
Karin, she got hold of an old stick which lay on the 
ground, and began to beat about her, after she had 
taken Fido up in her arms, all the while retreating 
backwards to the nearest rail-fence. * Only by extreme 
exertion did she succeed in reaching it, followed by 
the maddened cows, their eyes fastened on the yelping 
Fido, who, when he was sheltered in Karin’s arms, 
considered it proper to appear courageous. 

In order to escape a black cow, which was ahead of 
the others, Karin was obliged to throw herself and 
her dog quite recklessly over the fence, and in doing 
so happened to get one of the stakes right through 
her dress, so that she was left hanging there, without 
being able to get loose. She let go of Fido, and 
expected with trepidation that the angry cow would 
drive her horns through the frail obstacle and 
into her body. The cow, however, was not so ill- 
disposed, and when she saw the little enemy at 
large on the other side of the enclosure, she contented 
herself with following him with her eyes, still con- 
tinuing to bellow. 

Karin’s situatmn was in any case very disagreeable. 
With all her efforts she could not get her skirt loose. 


142 


LITTLE KARIN. 


or raise herself ; her dress held her fast to the stake. 
She tried to tear open the skirt, hut the material was 
homespun and would not readily give. Finally, after 
much shaking and jerking this succeeded, and Karin 
fell down on the ground, thereby grazing her face 
against a stone. This, however, was something that 
did not trouble Karin. She sprang joyfully up, 
dipped her handkerchief in a little brook near by, 
bathed the hurt with it, and examined her torn skirt 
with a smiling countenance. 

Fido stood beside her, and looked at it with 
much attention while Karin gave him the following 
lecture : 

Do you see what your mischievousness has done ? 
Do you realize that I have come near losing my life 
on your account ? 1 suppose you are very sorry over 

your naughtiness ; is it not so? Well then, beg my 
forgiveness, and promise never to run after cattle 
again.” 

Wagging his tail, Fido licked the outstretched 
hand, and as a proof of his adherence to his word 
sprang towards the fence and began to bark at the 
assembled cows who stood staring at him. 

Karin called the little badly trained dog, threatened 
him with her linger, and said laughingly : 

What, sir, is that the way you bear my admoni- 
tions in mind ? Take care, I might get angry.” 

“ There is no danger, Fido thinks,” said a voice 
from the pasture, and at the same moment Elias leaped 
over the fence. 

Karin nodded without looking at him, for she was 
busy pinning her dress together. 

‘‘Ilave you any pins about you ?” asked she. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


143 


“ If I had ever so many, I would not give you a 
single one,” answered Elias ; ‘‘ with pins one puts an 
end to friendship. Had I not given Lisbeth that 
shawl-pin, she would never have given me the mitten, 
but we would have been a betrothed pair and I would 
have got rid of the trouble of falling in love with 
you. But how in the world did you tear your dress 
so ? ” 

“When a girl has a mischievous dog along, and 
happens to encounter dumb brutes, there is danger of 
having her dress torn.” Karin draped her skirt in 
such a way that the rags were concealed. “ It is very 
remarkable to hear that you are as full of prejudice as 
any old granny,” resumed she, “ and it is no less re- 
markable that you express to me your regret at not 
being betrothed to Lisbeth. Thus you have not suc- 
ceeded in falling in love with me. This wounds me 
so deeply that I wish to have the pins in your coat- 
collar immediately.” 

Karin stretched out her hand to take them, but 
Elias prevented her and pushed her hand away. 

“ Are you out of your senses, Karin ? If you take 
the pins, I will never be able to fall in love with you, 
and I must do it, absolutely.” 

“You may as well give it up; if you have not 
caught the general contagion during the winter, you 
are not likely to do so in the spring or summer. 
Besides, as I now wish to be quit of you at present, 
I request you to go your way, and I will go mine.” 

“ All right,” replied Elias, “ for where you go, I go 
also. Where are you going ? ” 

“ To meet some one,” answered Karin, quite em- 
barrassed. 


144 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Elias’ eyes opened wide. 

“ A¥liom ? ” 

‘‘ Dear, good Elias, yon must not ask any ques- 
tions ; neither must yon go with me. Let me con- 
tinne my walk without yonr company.” 

“ And enconnter enraged cows. No, my gracions 
lady, I share yonr fate, I follow yon nnto death.” 
sang Elias. 

Karin bent her hat straight and looked perplexed. 
A pause ensued. Elias regarded her with surprise, as 
she stood there before him with downcast eyes and 
troubled aspect. There was an earnest inquiry in 
his gaze. 

“ I beg of you, Elias, I beg of yon with all my 
heart, do not follow me,” said Karin, after a pretty 
long silence. 

“ I can not grant yonr request ; I have made up my 
mind to go with you, and I shall. Therefore do not 
entreat me.” 

Karin raised her eyes. For a minute or two they 
looked at each other in silence, then Karin’ put her 
hat on her head, jumped over the ditch and walked 
down the path. 

Elias followed her. 

“ Where is the place of meeting? ” asked Elias. 

The church-yard,” was the answer. 

‘‘ Yery well, Karin, I shall not go all the way. I 
will stop at the foot of the hill ; but I must find out 
who it is that you appoint meetings with. 

And wherefore ? ” 

‘‘ Because I, who must of a necessity fall in love 
with yon, ought to know whether I have any rival,” 
replied Elias, jestingly. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


145 


They continued their way in silence. After a 
while Karin put her hand in her pocket and exclaim- 
ed in atfright : 

“ Good God ! I have lost my money — all my 
money ! ’’ 

“Your money,” exclaimed Elias, smiling; “all your 
money,” added he, mockingly, “it was then quite a 
sum.” 

Karin did not hear him, but flew with winged steps 
back to the place where she had thrown herself over 
the fence, stooped down and began to search among 
the old dried leaves and grass for the lost treasure. 
Elias had followed her with lagging steps. Over his 
cheerful face lay a cloud. When he came to the place 
where Karin was searching in vain, he sprang over 
the fence into the pasture, and in a few seconds ex- 
claimed:' 

“ Karin, is this what you are looking for ? ” 

He held up a pretty large and very thick pocket- 
book. 

Without answering, Karin flew over the fence and 
snatched the pocket-book, which she pressed to her 
lips and her bosom, after which she sank down on the 
ground. The tears flowed down her cheeks and she 
was unable to speak or move. 

Elias stood still and looked at her. When he per- 
ceived that her emotion was so great that it over- 
powered her, he went to the brook, brought a little 
water in his hand, moistened her brow with it and 
said : 

“ Had I imagined the strength of your love for this 
money, I would immediately have told you that I saw 
the pocket-book inside the fence, but I did not con- 

7 


146 


LITTLE KARIN. 


sider it possible that your joy over the recovered 
treasure would be so extreme as to almost deprive 
you of your senses.” 

“ The loss of that would have been worse to me 
than the loss of life,” faltered Karin. 

“ How much is it then, as you consider your hfe of 
less value ? ” inquired Elias. 

“ It is all that I have saved up since my thirteenth 
year; it is two thousand thalers.” Karin smiled 
when she uttered these last words. She smiled as a 
child smiles when it speaks of its newest play-thing. 

“And what are you going to do with this money ? ” 

“ Give it to Herr Enkeman. He has promised to 
place it where it will draw a good interest ; but I 
demand of you, Elias, that you mention to no one 
what chance has allowed you to find out.” 

Elias declared that he was not in the habit of 
telling tales and considered it superfluous to give any 
promise. When Karin had recovered herself some- 
what, they continued their way to the church-yard. 

Neither of them said a word. Karin, after the 
fright she had endured, had not regained her merry 
mood, and Elias was absorbed in his reflections. 


CHAPTER XY 


^OME time Lad elapsed after this occurrence 
during which Elias, contrary to his wont, 
was rather unsociable ; with the exception of 
Lisbeth, he avoided all. He looked very thoughtful 
and almost gloomy. Johanna began to fear that his 
unhappy passion for Lisbeth was again aroused. 

She had not much time to worry over it, however, 
for she had something else to think of. The justice 
was at Ekholmen every day and had always so- much 
to whisper about with Karin. 

Johanna began to be anxious in earnest, lest her 
old rejected adorer should forsake her. To complete 
her chagrin Thure was constantly out of humor, 
especially when the justice was on a visit, which gave 
Johanna cause to suspect that the boy was also under 
the influence of jealousy. But the annoying part of 
it was, that she could not very well presume that she 
was the object of it as long as Enkeman was taken up 
with Karin. Johanna became dejected and moping j 
she thought constantly about her ex-suitor, and that it 
might have been delightful to be mistress of Brat- 
backen. She exerted all her power of attraction, in 
order to regain the heart she had disdained. 

147 


148 


LITTLE KAlllN. 


One miusiiallj warm afternoon in tlie beginning of 
May, the inmates of Ekholmen, with the exception of 
Karin and the judge, were gathered on the veranda to 
drink coffee, when the justice arrived. lie kissed Jo- 
hanna’s hand with chivalrous politeness, said some 
flattering words to Lisbeth, and shook hands with the 
gentlemei^j after which he seated himself on a vacant 
chair between the two ladies. 

Johanna helped him to a cup of coffee with much 
grace, and then, with a melancholy snjile, handed a 
cup to Thure. Towards him she had assumed a 
mildly sorrowful manner. 

‘‘ Where is little Karin ? ” asked the justice after a 
while, in spite of all Johanna’s amiability. 

‘‘ She is with my brother,” answered Johanna 
becoming crimson with indignation that he thought of 
Karin, when shs showed herself gracious and ap- 
proachable. It "was abominable. 

‘‘ I hope the old gentleman will not detain her too 
long,” resumed the justice, ‘‘my visit concerns Karin 
especially.” 

“ You always come here on Karin’s account,” 
joined in Thure, as red in his cheeks as Johanna. 

“Kot always, but quite frequently,” replied the 
justice, smiling; “at least my calls for the last few 
weeks have concerned her.” 

Johanna straightened herself and looked with an 
offended air first at Thure then at the justice. 

“ Ah, indeed, you visit Ekholmen only on Karin’s 
account, Gustaf,” said Johanna. “It is not particu- 
larly flattering to us others, that we have her to 
thank for the honor of your presence.” 

“If you find it worthy of thanks, Johanna, then 


LITTLE KARIN. 


149 


Karin is the one who ought to receive them,” 
answered the justice, laughing; but he added seri- 
ously ; — Karin is an uncommon girl, a very un- 
common girl.” 

Oh yes, it is very uncommon for a girl at her age 
to be excessively economical,” rejoined Johanna in a 
rather sharp tone. 

Thure also said something about Kariifs passion 
for money, as an unusual but not an amiable quality 
in a maiden of eighteen. His words were sharper 
than Johanna’s and procured him a tender glance from 
her. 

Herr Enkeman looked at the young man and de- 
clared, that he, for his part, heartily desired that 
each and all were as sensible and frugal as Karin. 

“I have several times observed with surprise,” 
added he, ‘‘ that all of you here in her home have 
made fun of the economy she manifests. This as- 
tonishes me. Is there then anything praiseworthy in 
being extravagant? As far as you especially are 
concerned, my dear Lenmark, it seems to me that you 
do very wrong in constantly trying to depreciate a 
quality, good in itself, because it is noticeable in Karin. 
1 would advise you to exercise your wit upon some- 
thing else than her economy. 

Thure flared up and, contrary to his habit, gave a 
sharp answer. He was old enough to be able to judge 
whether what he ridiculed was worthy ridicule or not. 

The justice now grew angry in his turn and an 
altercation came near taking place, when Lisbeth 
acted as mediator, not in her sister’s defense but for 
the benefit of Thure. She directed Herr Enkeman’s 
attention to the fact, that Thure censured the extreme 


150 


LITTLE KARIN. 


to which Karin had carried her economy, hut not 
economy in general, and it could not he denied that 
her little sister had allowed her love for money to 
assume a serious character. 

“ My dear Lisbeth, I can only regret that you, too, 
have this view of the subject,” said the justice. 

The conversation was here interrupted by the 
judge, who with much violence stepped out on the 
veranda, bringing Karin with him. 

He cast a swift glance over the company, and when 
he convinced himself that Constantin was not among 
them, he turned to the justice and asked: 

‘‘ How large a sum of money has Karin placed in 
your keeping ? ” 

A little over two thousand thalers. I suppose 
you have no objection, Karin, to my telling brother 
Wikstrand this ? ” 

Ko sir, I certainly have not,” stammered Karin, 
quite agitated. 

“ W ell then, may you who are here present now 
judge between Karin and me,” said Wikstrand. 
“ The sum she has saved up from what she has re- 
ceived from me, who found my greatest pleasure in 
giving her what she desired, 1 have to-day requested 
to borrow for three months, as some large and unex- 
pected payments heaped themselves upon me ; and 
what do you suppose this child, whom I have loved 
so deeply, gave me for an answer ? ” 

All looked at Karin, who lowered her head. 

“ She has refused to lend me, her second father, the 
saved-up money. I have asked, and still she has 
refused.” 

That is not possible,” exclaimed Lisbeth, “ Karin 


LITTLE KARIN. 


151 


could not have refused to give uncle all that she pos^ 
sessed. Isn’t it true, Karin, you will give uncle your 
money, will you not? ” 

‘‘ Ko, I cannot,” answered Karin in a sorrowful, 
but firm voice. 

Why can you not ? ” asked Elias seizing her by 
the arm. 

Karin made no reply. The justice looked at her 
with a peculiar light in his eye. 

You will not, therefore you cannot ; this lack of 
desire is shameful,” said Lisbeth. 

“ The money is not within reach,” observed the 
justice. It is so placed that it cannot be drawn at a 
moment’s notice.” 

“ But you could advance Karin the sum, and then 
repay yourself with her money,” replied Lisbeth. 

‘impossible,” exclaimed Karin. 

A pause took place; a pause during which little 
Karin stood before her benefactor with bowed head 
and everybody’s eyes fixed upon her. 

The judge threw himself down in an easy-chair, 
made a motion with his hand to Karin and said : 

“ Go up to your room. You and I have nothing 
further to say to each other at present.” 

Quick as thought Karin seized her uncle’s hand, 
raised it to her lips and flew into the hall. 

“Stop, Karin,” cried the justice. 

Karin turned round and looked at him. Her face 
was covered with tears, and her lips trembled as she 
said falteringly : 

“ I do not wish to stay, my friend ; I have nothing 
to say in my justification.” With this she hastened 
up to her room. 


162 


LITTLE KARIN. 


The justice rose and, turning to the judge, ex- 
claimed with indignation : 

“ What devil has taken possession of you, brother 
Wikstrand, that you wish to have the girl’s money ? 
I consider your behavior exceedingly strange and I 
desire you to grant me a private conversation.” 

The two gentlemen went in the house. Johanna 
repaired to her own room, and Lisbeth sat weeping in 
the drawing-room where Thure had conducted her. 
He now spoke in a low and comforting voice. Elias 
stood leaning against the railing of the veranda and 
drummed a march on the edge of it. His thoughts 
were surely very variable, for at one instant he smiled, 
the next contracted his brow, and finally he walked 
oif down to the carriage drive, where he took a few 
turns. 

When he went up it for the third time, Johanna 
came towards him in great haste. 

“ Karin is gone,” said she in a low voice, “ Lovisa 
saw her go down to the river, with her hat and cape 
on. By all means, Elias, hurry after her, and find out 
wdiere she is going. The girl must not commit any 
folly.” 

Elias was instantly out of sight. Johanna wrapped 
her shawl more closely around her shoulders and 
started through the garden down to the river. 

“ Go up after Karin ! ” cried the judge to Lisbeth, 
as he entered the drawing-room a few minutes after- 
wards holding a paper in his hand. 

Lisbeth obeyed directly, but soon came back with 
the announcement that Karin was not in her room. 

“ Then she is probably in the garden or pavilion. 
3>ring her here immediately.” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


153 


Thure and Lisbeth went together to hunt for the 
missing girl. 

“ I fear that you have drawn the bow to tight,” 
said Herr Enkeinan to the judge when those sent out 
came back without having found Karin, bringing the 
intelligence that she had gone down to the river, 
dressed in her Sunday clothes. 

The judge at first looked a little uneasy, but then 
declared that with the knowledge he had of Karin’s 
character he did not apprehend any imprudence. She 
would soon return. 

Thure turned his steps to the river. 

The judge took a seat on the veranda, and Herr 
Enkeman got in his carriage and drove home. 

Lisbeth ran through the garden, now here and now 
there, with her head full of painful misgivings. 
Could it be possible that Karin, in her excited state of 
mind, had done herself any harm ? 

Down at the river was a ferry-house, and there 
resided an old man who did service as a ferry-man. 
Johanna went to him and inquired whether he had 
seen Karin. The old man had not only seen her but 
he had ferried her across the river, and then received 
a little written scrap, with the direction to go up and 
deliver it to the judge. He had not been able to go 
right away, for he had to wait until his old woman 
came home, and now handed the note to Johanna, 
asking her to give it to the judge. 

The Froken said that she intended to go to 
Catherina’s house, to see about her injured leg,” said 
he to Johanna, who took the little billet, said a few 
kind words to the old man and returned home. 


154 


LITTLE KARIN. 


The wafer was still wet, something which induced 
Johanna to open the note and read it. 

There stood the following ; 

“Dear, Beloved Uncle: — You consider me un- 
grateful. I am not so, that God knows who reads 
my heart ; but I am troubled and therefore I go away. 

^ I will return in a few days, when your anger is less 
towards your poor Karin.” 

“Hum, hum!” was the only sound that escaped 
Johanna, when she folded the note. Then she 
hastened to the house* 


CHAPTER XYL 



HE birds in the wood plumed their feathers, 
stretched their wings, and made their morn- 
ing toilet, so as to honor the first rays of the 
rising sun with a song. 

the wood between Ekholmen and Bratbacken, 
two young persons were sitting on a fiat rock, just at 
dawn. One was a maiden, the other a man of five, 
or at the most, six and twenty years of age. 

Pale and tired, she rested her head in her hand, 
while she listened with a smile to what her compan- 
ion said. 

“You are very kind, dear Elias,” uttered she final- 
ly, when he ceased; “it makes me happy again to 
know that you at least believe that I had sufficient 
reason to refuse uncle the money. Would to God 
that I could convince him of it.” 

“You certainly can ; but why did you not tell him 
the reason of your refusal ? ” 

Karin smiled sadly. 

• “ Because my heart would have burst,” answered 

she. “ But be calm, Elias, I shall surely prove to him 
that I have always been his own little Karin, and 
always will be.” 


150 


LITTLE KALIN. 


“Tlirougli wliat?” Elias bent down and looked 
her in the eyes. 

The weary face lighted up, the pale cheeks became 
tinged and the eyes beamed, as she replied that this 
was her secret. 

“ What if I had found it out ? ” 

“ That you have not,” returned Karin. She leaned 
her tired head against his shoulder, as she continued, 
quite sorrowfully, “ it distresses me that I cannot go 
further but will be forced to sit here and rest. I 
would so like to be at Ekholmen before uncle wakes 
up.” 

“We have a good mile and a half left to Ekhol- 
men,” said Elias, “ and I dare not leave you here in 
the woods while I run home for a carriage. If you 
would try to sleep, I would take off my coat for you 
to lie on.” 

Karin refused this and declared that she did not 
believe she could close her eyes until she had seen her 
uncle again. 

“How long have you followed me?” asked she 
after a while. 

“ From the time you left home yesterday after- 
noon.” 

“ Impossible ! I would surely have seen you.” 

“ If you had not been so eager to get away, you 
would undoubtedly have done so. I suspected im- 
mediately, when I heard that you had gone over 
the river, that you intended to seek Pehr in his new 
place, and I was not mistaken. You and he went to 
the city, and I, I traveled after. What you and 
Pehr did in the city, we will leave ; but when you 
last evening drove from there and alighted at the 


LITTLE KARIN. 


157 


road to Bratbacken, I did the same, and dismissed the 
driver. You went on to Herr Enkeman’s house and 
remained there an hour, after which you were con- 
ducted by him to Catharina’s. You did not stay any 
longer with her, however, than was needed for the 
justice to absent himself, when I saw you come out 
again. I let you go to the wood, then made a little 
detour and met you. Your gait indicated that you 
w^ere very tired, after an almost ten miles walk. My 
arm might be welcome for a support and my protec- 
tion necessary.” 

“ How you must be still,” interrupted Karin, “ I am 
completely exhausted.” The eyelashes fell again and 
the next minute slumber had overpowered her. 

While Karin slept, Elias meditated upon much to 
which he had never before attached any importance, 
and considered various traits of character, which he 
had hitherto not reflected upon. They had been the 
object of derisive remarks, but they now appeared in 
an entirely different light. He went back to Karin’s 
childhood and found that in all her actions there was 
a persistent endeavor to attain the object she had set 
before her life. This object had in younger years 
been less definite ; but afterwards assumed a given 
character. The economy and extreme simplicity she 
had made her rule, now seemed to Elias like an admir- 
able virtue; especially as she renounced everything 
that usually constituted the joy of young girls. 

When Lisbeth had been praised for her tasteful 
apparel, Karin had been scorned for her plain dress ; 
when her sister was made much of by the young men, 
she was slighted and neglected. In spite of all that 


158 


LITTLE KARIN. 


ought to wound her womanly vanity, she still pursued 
the course she had marked out. 

Elias saw clearly, that something else than a paltry 
passion for money must be at the base of her much 
calumniated penuriousness, but what it was he could 
not determine. 

Karin had employed Pehr of Grangard as long as 
she put money in the savings bank; she had acted 
in secret, and compelled Pehr to promise silence. 
When she finally succeeded in getting the sum up to 
a certain amount she had taken it out of the savings 
bank, and the justice was now the one who took 
charge of it. 

Here Elias dropped the thread, for ho no longer had 
any trace to follow. That the money was not invested 
where it could draw interest, he believed himself able 
to conclude from Herr Enkeman’s bidding, that Karin 
should tell everything. How was it then used? 
Elias would have given much if he could have found 
the solution of the enigma. That this solution would 
redound to her credit he was fully convinced. Little 
Karin was not self-interested, and avaricious, she did 
not act from selfish calculation, but there was some 
powerful motive which actuated her. 

Finally Elias plunged himself into conjectures con- 
cerning her journey to the city with Pehr. He knew 
that the aim of it was to procure money and he sur- 
mised that this money was intended to replace the 
sum she had refused Wikstrand. She could not give 
her saved up means, but she had obtained other 
money — this much Elias believed that he had 
ascertained. 

An unguarded motion on his part caused Karin at 


LITTLE KARIN. 


159 


that instant to suddenly raise herself. She sprang up, 
shook her frizzly head, passed her hand over her 
brow and asked quite frightened; 

“ What time is it ? ” 

Five o’clock.’’ 

So much ! Then we will not be home before half 
past five ; that will be too late. I so wished to be at 
Ekholmen before uncle awoke. Come, Elias, let us 
hurry.” 

She took her companion’s arm and added in her 
usual cheerful tones; 

“I did not think yesterday that I would return 
home so glad as I am to-day.” 

Karin clasped her hands over Elias’ arm and forced 
him to stand still for a moment, as she faltered with 
deep emotion ; 

“My God, I thank Thee for all Thy goodness 
toward me.” 

“ You are a strange girl,” exclaimed Elias. “ Levity 
and earnestness, outward fickleness joined to inward 
firmness, thoughtless and yet prudent, wild and yet 
sensible, precipitate and ye^ far-sighted. You form a 
perfect mass of contradictions.” 

Karin smiled. 

“And these contradictions you wish to bring in 
harmony with each other; from all this confusion you 
wish to evolve order. Admit that it is impracticable.” 

“ I have also given up being your mentor.” 

“ Indeed ! So you consider me hopeless ? ” 

“Almost.” Elias looked at her with a serious 
smile and added ; 

“ What you you have become through yourself, 


160 


LITTLE KARIN. 


and I, for my part, do not wish you to be any 
difterent.” 

“ I understand, you do as the physicians do with 
incurable patients ; you refrain from treating them 
and advise them to try a water-cure. I think, how- 
ever, that it went very well this last time and that I 
began to be a tolerably well-behaved girl.” 

“ And this you ascribe to me ? ” 

“ Whom else ? ” 

‘‘You yourself, dear Karin,” said Elias. “You 
have an in-dwelling desire to improve yourself and 
others. When you came to think of your own faults, 
through my assertion that I wished to educate you, 
you corrected them, and no one else ought to claim 
the merit of it. That you have remained the light- 
hearted, artless Karin, yet ceased to be the tantalizing 
and slovenly one, is your work, not mine.” 

“ W ell, if you keep on a little while longer, you 
will make out that I am already perfect.” 

“ Yes, in my eyes.” 

“Ko nonsense, Elias,” cried Karin. “But you 
must give me your promise to be silent as the walls 
concerning what you have spied out or guessed about 
my journey to the city.” 

“I promise all that you desire.” 

“Good, you must not mention to anybody, you 
understand, not to anybody, whoever it may be, what 
you think you know. You must not divulge that I 
have been to Bratbacken, etc.” 

“ I promise it, but Herr Enkeman is not very likely 
to keep silent,” objected Elias. 

“ I will be responsible for his silemn.” 

“ But why do you make a secret of all this 


LITTLE KARIN. 


161 


If you knew tliat, then you would know more 
than you do now,” jested Karin. 

It was half past five, when Karin opened the gate at 
Ekholinen and cautiously stole across the yard and 
through the front door, which had only just been 
opened. 

Kot a living being was to be seen. Karin went 
along the hall with light steps, opened the judge’s 
door softly, and entered his outer room. It was so 
.quiet, that she took it for granted that he was still 
asleep. Kot until six o’clock was the man-servant, 
who waited upon the judge, allowed to awake his 
master, and now it was just half past five. 

On tip-toe Karin advanced to the writing-table in 
the outer room, took a letter from her pocket and 
laid it on the table. She looked at the address and 
smiled quite seriously, after which she went out as 
silently as she had come in. 


CHAPTER XYIL 



^ IIEH the breakfast-hell rang the family 
assembled in the dining-room. All were 
there except Karin and the judge. Johanna 
looked solemn, Thure was mute as a hsli, 
Elias merry as a lark, Constantin and the inspector, 
who knew nothing of what had transpired between 
"Wikstrand and Karin, wondered why tlie two ladies 
continued to look so out of spirits. 

The maid brought in colfee. Johanna inquired 
whether the judge had been called, and received an 
affirmative answer. 

A few minutes elapsed ; then the door opened and 
"VYikstrand entered. Karin did not make her ap- 
pearance. The maid declared that the Frbken had 
come home, but was asleep. She had a head-ache. 

After breakfast the judge, Thure and Constantin 
started off to an extra court, and Elias went up to his 
room to rest after his journey and sleepless night. 

Johanna had various things to attend to in the 
kitchen and store-closet. Lisbeth had 
the garden to see to her flowers. 

She walked absorbed in her thoughts, and tlius 
came in collision with Martha, who stood bending 
over a hot-bed, picking lettuce. • 

162 . 


gone down in 


LITTLE KARIN. 


1G3 


Martha raised up, at the shock Lisbeth gave her, 
and when she caught sight of “ the light of her ejes,’’ 
as she called Lisbeth, she smiled. 

“ My poor Frbken,” said Martha, “ how worried 
you look. I just thought that it would make you 
feel bad, and therefore I shall set something brewing 
for “ the little one,” so that she will be taken down a 
peg, and not do any such thing another time.” 

“ The little one ” was an appellation that Karin 
had received as a child and Martha continued to give 
her. 

‘‘ What do you mean, Martha ? ” asked Lisbeth, 
seating lierself on a bench at the side of the hot-bed. 
“ A¥hy are ^mu going to tell tales about Karin? ” 

Why ! Why ! ” repeated Martha. “ Why because 
I, who have all my days lived an lionest and respect- 
able life, can’t reconcile myself to ‘‘ the little one’s ” 
roaming around as she does. You know what I 
mean well enough and you then understand that I 
must speak ; but this time I will go directly to the 
head, and not to the arm.” 

“ I don’t comprehend a word of what you say, 
Martha,” exclaimed Lisbeth impatiently. 

Perhaps you do not know that “ the little one ” 
has been to the city with Elias, and not to Catharina’s. 
Are you not aware that Elias and Karin spent 
the night in Bratbacken woods ? At five o’clock 
this morning they came home, but just before they 
got here they separated, so that she came first and 
tlien he. Kow the question is, what do you suppose 
tlie judge will say when I tell him all this? He, who 
could not stand it that Froken Johanna, in her young- 
er days, went as* far as down in the garden wdth one 


1G4 


LITTLE KARIN. 


of the notaries, but gave the poor sijinOr who went 
with her his walking-papers.” 

Lisbeth did not hear the last part of the speech ; 
she stared before her and could not for a long time 
utter a word. Finally she said : 

‘‘You are fooling me, Martha, Karin and Elias 
could not have forgotten themselves so far.” 

“Haven’t they?” screamed Martha. “I tell you 
they have. I saw them myself come from Brat- 
backen woods arm in arm, go along the road to the 
carriage-drive and there separate, when it was a little 
past five in the morning. Long Anders, who had 
been to the village in the night, at a dance, said that 
he had seen them come out of Catharina’s cottage 
before the sun was up ; he can live and die upon it, 
as certainly as I can, that they came out of the wood 
and parted at the carriage-drive. Pehr’s Stina, who 
was here yesterday, stated that Karin and Elias went 
to the city first, and that Elias afterwards borrowed 
a carriage from mother Veronica to follow her.” 

“That is terrible,” stammered Lisbeth. “Have 
you told this to any one else but me ? ” 

Martha hesitated before she answered and at last 
acknowledged that she had asked Thure what time 
Elias came home, and that Thure had then heard 
from her what she had resolved not to tell any one 
but Lisbeth and the judge. 

“Martha, will you promise to say nothing to 
uncle ? ” asked Lisbeth, who with effort kept back her 
tears. 

Martha beheld her pet’s sorrow with deep sym- 
pathy, and resolved within herself that Lisbeth and no 
other should have Elias, cost what it would. “ The 


LITTLE KARIN. 


16 o 


little one,” should not become mistress of Ekliolmen ; 
that was the indignant Martha’s firm decision, and in 
order to prevent it she was obliged to tell tales to the 
j iidge. Consequently she replied quite bluntly : 

“ I promise to keep silent to all, except the judge. 
You must not ask me to leave my honorable master 
in ignorance of what he nourishes in his own bosom.” 

Lisbeth began to weep violently. Her tears irri- 
tated Martha still more against ‘‘ the little one,” so 
that she took her departure for fear of being tempted 
to yield. 

After Lisbeth had cried a while, she dried her tears. 
After distress came resentment. The more she 
thought of Karin’s conduct, the more unpardonable 
it seemed to her. After all it was best for Martha to 
speak of the whole afiair to uncle. Karin’s course of 
action could not be defended. Lisbeth might repre- 
sent this to her, but she knew that Karin did not care 
for what she said, and would either tui-n it off with 
a jest or else put on a serious look, in which case she 
always got the upper hand. Ko, Lisbeth would turn 
to Elias. 

When she had come to this decision, she rose and 
went to the upper terrace, where she quite unex- 
pectedly met Elias. 

“ What cloud of sorrow obscures your life’s sky, as 
tears flow from your beautiful eyes?” declaimed 
Elias. “ DeUr Lisbeth, tell me what troubles you.” 
He took her arm and laid it in his, adding : come, 
we will go back down in the garden, so that you may 
be able to confide your grievances to me in peace. I 
will always be your brother, even if you do not wish 
to have me for your married half.” 


1G6 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Lisbetli tried to get lier arm away, but wbeu her 
efforts failed, she accompanied him, with her cheeks on 
fire and her eyes full of tears. 

‘‘I was right in not believing in your love,” ex- 
claimed she passionately, had I relied upon it, I 
would have been deceived.” 

‘^Do you think so?” Elias smiled. “I have an 
entirely different opinion of the matter.” 

Perhaps you still mean to assert that you loved 
me with the unchangeableness of a pure and true 
feeling ? ” 

I continue to assert that I did so, that I would al- 
ways have done so if you had not played with my feel- 
ings. That is just as certain as that we are all God’s 
created beings,” said Elias earnestly. 

Lisbetli stopped and looked at him with an angry 
aspect. 

‘‘And yet, yet you take midnight walks with 
Karin, walks which compromise her to that degree, 
that you will in the end be forced to marry my sister. 
Elias,” continued she, quite excited ; “ how is it j^ossi- 
ble for you to give me so sacred an assurance as the 
one you have just given, and yet do all in your power 
to make Karin believe that she is the object of your 
liveliest interest ?” 

“ That is so too,” rejoined Elias. “ My assurance 
to you concerned the past, not the present.” 

Lisbeth jerked her arm hastily from Elias, and 
sank down on a rustic seat with her hands before her 
face. 

“ Do you love Karin ?” asked she. “ Still it is not 
more than fourteen months since you went away 
from here with your heart filled with love for me. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


167 


And I, infatuated girl, wlio in mj innermost soul 
believed in this love and therefore wished to test jou. 
You have thus been making a fool of me.” Lisbeth 
wept. 

Elias seated himself beside her; took away one 
hand from the tearful face, and bade her listen with 
calmness to liis explanation. 

And what shall you explain?” exclaimed Lisbeth. 
“ That you love Karin as wai-mly, as passionately, as 
you fourteen months ago loved me ?” 

Lisbeth,” interrupted Elias, “ I have not said that 
I loved Karin ; I have only acknowledged that I am 
now most interested in her, that she has my liveliest 
sympathy and that it is extremely probable that 1 may 
some day hold her very dear, yes, dearer than all else 
on this beautiful earth — dearer than I once held you. 
This does not prove, however, that I am faithless or 
inconstant, but only that I, in my dawning attach- 
ment for Karin, seek a recompense for the shipwreck 
my first one suffered. Such a remedy, believe me, is 
far more 'Certain than a cold water cure.” 

Elias,” cried Lisbeth, springing up, “ your fickle- 
ness costs me tears. I suffer from it and you ought 
to understand, that the mitten I gave you was 
only ” — Lisbeth checked herself and sank back again 
on the seat. 

Elias’ face had lost its calm expression. He looked 
at her sadly and said in a low voice : 

Lisbeth, I thank you for not finishing the sen- 
tence. It would be hard for me to forgive you, if 
your heart held me dear, while your lips mocked my 
love. Ko, I will not think this of you,” added he 
with emphasis, ^Mt would pain me. You once said, 


168 


LITTLE KARIN. 


that if Tliure should speak to you as I had done, he 
would receive a different answer. I believed you ; I 
still believe you at this moment, and will not believe 
anything else. It is no fault not to love ; but it would 
have been a crime if you had denied the truth and 
trifled with me, when you saw that my peace was at 
stake. You could not have acted so, dear, beloved 
Lisbeth, say that you came near belying yourself.” 

Elias leaned forward and looked kindly at the 
young girl, who, with her head bent down, sat crush- 
ed, while the tears streamed down her cheeks. 

“ Why do you weep ? ” asked Elias. 

Because I feel very unhappy,” faltered Lisbeth. 

With an air of deep friendship Elias clasped her 
hand in his, saying : 

“ Speak frankly, what is it that grieves 3^011 ? Is 
it the walk Karin and 1 took last night ? Dear Lis- 
beth, there is nothing in that which ought to disturb 
or wound you.” 

“But the whole neighborhood are talking about 
it. Karin’s reputation is at stake ” — 

“ What a lovely picture. Two turtle-doves cooing 
together,” exclaimed a sportive voice, and two small 
hands were laid over Lisbeth’s eyes. “You will be 
spared from seeing me, in case 3"ou feel embarrassed 
at my surprising you and Elias,” added the glad voice. 
“ W ell, my children, have you now at last come to an 
understanding with ^^our feelings ? ” 

“ I hope so, Karin,” said Elias, merrily, “ but ^mu 
are not aw^are that it is your and my night walk 
that has been the subject of our conversation, and 
that it is also something that the neighborhood is 
talldng about.” 


LITTLE KARIN. 169 

And what can well be said about it ? ’’ asked the 
young girl, quite unconcerned. 

“Karin, 1 desire to speak to you,” said aunt Jo- 
hanna’s voice, and the stately woman stopped in the 
path, a few yards from the young people. She looked 
like an offended queen. She carried her head high 
and her eyes flashed. 

“'My dearest aunt, what is the matter, as you have 
such a royal bearing?” asked Elias, going to her. 
Karin already stood by Johanna’s side. 

“ You keep company with Lisbeth, and do not 
trouble yourself about my bearing,” answered Jo- 
hanna, turning her back to her nephew. “I have 
something especial to talk to Karin about.” 

Johanna walked off, and Karin gave Elias a look 
that commanded him not to follow them. 

Lisbeth left her place and hastened after Karin and 
Johanna. 

Elias went through the garden, out the gate, and 
took his way down, to the village. 

8 


CHAPTEE xyni. 



S Lisbetli caught up to Karin and Johanna, 
the latter said: — “ You may not have heard 
what I said, that it was with Karin alone I 
desired to speak.” 

“ Yes, I heard it, but that does not hinder us from 
going together up to our room ; or could what you 
have to say to Karin suffer from my going the same 
way as you two ? ” asked Lisbeth in her most snappish 
tone. 

Johanna was not in the humor to continue the 
squabble ; she had more serious things to think of. 
In silence she mounted the stairs, opened the door of 
her room and closed it carefully after they entered, so 
that they should not be disturbed. 

“ Where did you go last evening, when you came 
from the city?” inquired Johanna,'^ as she seated 
herself on the sofa and assumed the air of a judge. 
The red ribbon on her hair appeared redder than 
usual, the crimped hair still more crimped. 

“ I went to Catharina’s,” answered Karin artlessly. 

“You did not go there, but to Bratbacken.” 
Johanna rather screamed than spake this last word. 
Her face now vied with the rosette, so crimson was it. 
170 


LITTLE KARIN. 


in 


Karin looked at her without replying. It was a 
peculiar glance that the young girl fastened upon the 
woman of forty-four. She continued to keep silent, 
however. 

“Well, why don’t you answer? What did you do 
in the city, when you gave out that you were at Cath- 
arina’s, and what did you do afterwards at Bratbacken 
in the middle of the night ? Why did you then drive 
with Enkeman to Catharina’s house and what sort of 
secrets have you with him ? I must, I shall know.” 
Johanna accompanied these words by putting her 
foot quite emphatically on the floor, a sign of great 
temper with her. 

I will not tell you that, aunt,” responded Karin 
with a calm voice. 

“ Will you not ? ” Johanna seized Karin’s arm and 
shook it, “ Do you believe that I will rest satisfled 
with such an answer, or do you imagine that I have 
not perceived your endeavor to become mistress of 
Bratbacken? You know that you are ugly, that you 
cannot count upon gaining any young, good-looking 
man for a husband, and therefore you desire to catch 
Enkeman. You would not be the child you are, if you 
did not act as you do. It is scandalous of a young 
girl to go on in such a manner. And I, who began to 
like you, who believed that you were a good child, 
what have I now for my kind feelings ? Why, what 
I have always had — ingratitude.” 

Johanna ceased and turned her back to Karin, but 
added after a moment : 

“My duty requires that I inform my brother of 
what has passed, for it will be the talk of the whole 
village, that Froken Karin Heldencr has been to Brat- 


172 


LITTLE KARIN. 


backen in tbe night time, and the result will be 
debasing remarks, not only about you, but about us 
all here at Ekholmen. I should think you would be 
ashamed to raise your eyes before an honest w^oman, 
after such behavior, and your only salvation will 
be”— 

“ To marry Herr Enkeman,” interrupted Karin, 
smiling. “ I think so too.” 

Johanna turned round hastily. She looked as 
though she had a great mind to throw herself upon 
the audacious girl, who looked her calmly in the face. 

“ If Herr Enkeman learns that people gossip about 
my visit to Bratbacken, he ' will no longer delay to 
press his suit, and then ” — 

Go ! ” shrieked J ohanna, pointing to the door. 
Karin did as she was bid, but first cast a glance full of 
intense satisfaction at Johanna and smiled as she 
closed the door behind her. 

Poor little Karin ; she had not fairly entered her 
room before Lisbeth, still more reckless than Johanna, 
attacked her for being out walking with Elias in the 
middle of the night. 

When Lisbeth began her assault Karin burst into a 
laugh ; this so irritated Lisbeth that she wept with 
anger. Her tears made as little impression on Karin 
as her words, and therefore Lisbeth employed the last 
resource there was, that of reproaching Karin for her 
deceit and faithlessness. 

Karin seated herseK at Lisbeth’s feet, seized her 
hands and said with friendliness : 

“You know full well, that it was no preconcerted 
plan which brought Elias and me together ; you know 


LITTLE KARIN. 


173 


as well as I, that you can rely upon me. Kever will 
you hav^e reason to blush over my behavior.” 

“ What about the day before yesterday, when you 
refused to do as uncle wished you to ; was that noth- 
ing to blush over ? ” retorted Lisbeth. “ Even if it is 
true that you did not plan the journey to the city and 
the mid-night walk with Elias, it is nevertheless true 
that it took place, and that Elias told me right to my 
face that you were the object of his liveliest interest 
as well as that he had ceased to hold me dear.” 

“ Did he tell you all that ? ” 

“ Yes, that and much more,” sobbed Lisbeth. “He 
also said, that he would despise me if he discovered 
that I loved him when I gave him the mitten without 
sufficient reason.” 

“ Assume, for a moment, that he spoke the truth, 
what is there in that to trouble you? You have 
always said, that Elias was the last one you wished to 
marry ; that you could never become attached to 
him.” 

“ I have said so, that I acknowledge ; but I did not 
mean it,” answered Lisbeth, weeping. “ Elias is the 
only one I have ever loved, the only one I ever can 
love, the only one I wish to marry.” 

Karin supported her brow on her hand. 

“ Why then did you reject him ? ” 

“ I wished to test his affection ; 1 wished to see 
whether he could survive the wound his self-love had 
received ; I wished to learn how great my power was 
over liim. Oh, my God, I repent now, I repent 
bitterly ; I shall never forgive myself for having held 
my future happiness in my hand and thrown it away. 
I shall never forgive you for having decoyed Elias’ 


174 


LITTLE KAUliH, 


heart from me ; but for you it would still be mine and 
1 have the felicity of once more seeing him sue for 
love at my feet.” 

‘‘ He would never have done that,” said Karin seri- 
ously, as she rose. She took her sister’s head between 
her hands, looked deep into her eyes, and asked : — “Do 
you really love Elias, so that he is all to you, or is it 
wounded vanity that now makes you suffer ? ” 

“ I love him,” answered Lisbeth. 

“ Then all may again be well. Elias is still attached 
to you, although his deeply wounded pride withholds 
him from acknowledging it. He is not in love with 
me and never will be ; of that you can be sure. He 
wishes perhaps to give you a lesson, and you have 
needed it. My belief is, that Elias loves you and that 
it depends upon you yourself whether you succeed in 
atoning for what you have done. Be good, be true, 
and you may perhaps regain his heart.” 

Lisbeth threw herself on Karin’s neck; she was 
beside herseK with joy. She begged Karin to repeat 
that she believed Elias loved her, and she promised, 
after all the anguish she had for months endured, to 
cease to coquet with others ; she would only live to 
make amends for what she had done. The hope 
that she was still loved would make her a better 
person than she had hitherto been. 

“ You have thus no interest for Thure ? ” asked 
Karin. 

Lisbeth colored and looked confused. 

“Ko, dear Karin, I must confess that — that — I 
only made believe that — that I desired to overcome 
his indifference and induce him to forget hi§ cautious- 
ness, that was all.” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


175 


You have tried to play with poor Thure.” 

‘‘Karin, I wdll never do so more,” whispered 
Lisbeth, twining her arms around Karin’s neck. 
“You shall see that my sole endeavor will be to 
please Elias. 

“ Then everything will come out right and I can 
dance at your wedding,” said Karin sportively. 


CIIAPTEE XIX. 



rillLE the girls were talking together, Johanna 
sat leaning back on the sofa. She went 
through, in thought, the past, the present and 
the future. She was a martyr to others’ selfishness — 
so it appeared to her. She had been disappointed in 
her first love ; in her later efforts to love others and 
to be loved she had also been balked, and, lastly, she 
would be compelled to witness how a thankless child 
stole from her the only faithful heart she had found 
here in life. Conscientious by nature, she had con- 
sidered that she ought not to enter into marriage 
without love ; but this did not hinder her from taking 
a satisfaction in knowing that there was one person 
who faithfully loved her. She was now deprived of 
even this consolation, and it seemed to her as if she 
herself was attached to her ex-suitor with a deep and 
warm affection, now that he was lost to her. To 
become mistress of Bratbacken appeared to her at 
this moment an enviable happiness, but this happiness 
would no longer be offered her. As long as she had 
been sure of Enkeman’s fidelity, she never thought 
of such a thing as regarding a union with him as any- 
thing enviable ; but now that the opportunity was 


LITTLE KARIN. 


177 


past, everything had a changed aspect. So is it, here 
in the world ; what we possess lacks value, what we 
have lost acquires a double one. 

Not even the warmest affection from Thure could 
now console her for the loss she had sustained. She 
could not marry Thure, and she had just come to the 
conclusion, during the last weeks, that “it is not good 
for man to be alone.” She no longer wished to hear 
her brother say in jest, that she had become like other 
unmarried women ; she had almost made up her mind 
to become the rich Enkeman’s wife, and just then he 
swerved from his constancy and fastened his thoughts 
upon an ignorant, self-interested child. 

Hour after hour passed and Johanna still sat there, 
absorbed in her bitter reflections. 

A carriage drove up in the yard without her being 
aware of it, and not until the maid opened the door 
and said that the table was set, did Johanna remember 
that she must take a peep in the kitchen. 

■Without casting the usual searching glance in the 
mirror, she hastened down, and when she entered the 
dining-room, brother Magnus, all the gentlemen and 
the girls were already there. 

“ You make us wait for you,” said the judge testily, 
and went to the side-board, without looking at Karin, 
who stood by one of the windows. She seemed to 
wish to conceal herself from his gaze. 

Johanna smiled neither at Thure nor Constantin, 
did not jest at all with Elias nor enter into any con- 
versation, but sat stiff and straight, silent and solemn, 
in her place. The judge said nothing and looked 
abstracted, and this led the others to keep still too. 

When dinner was over Johanna went up stairs, and 
8 * 


178 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Thure followed lier; Constantin kept Lisbetli, by 
showing her a quantity of remarkable photographs 
'which he had obtained from Stockholm. Karin took 
Elias’ arm and drew him out in the garden, 
wdiisperiug : 

“ Come, I have good news for you.” 

Elias went with her. Karin sat down under one of 
the trees on the lower terrace and said with sincere 

‘‘ I have not deceived myself, Elias, she loves you 
with her 'whole soul. The moment has now come, 
dear Elias, when you can say to Lisbetli, that she is as 
dear to you as she 'was the day that you gave her 
your heart.” 

“ That moment 'will never come, Karin,” replied 
Elias, “and you must excuse me if I doubt your 
report concerning Lisbeth’s love for me.” 

“ Do you doubt it ! ” exclaimed Karin. “ But good 
heavens, she told me so herself and confessed, witli 
tears in her eyes, that she loves you and no one else.” 

“ If that were so, I could pity Lisbetli, for I have 
no longer any love to give her.” 

Karin sprang up and clasped her hands. 

_ “You have thus deceiv^ed me.” 

“ When you and I spoke about it, I gave an evasive 
answer, which could indeed be taken for an admission, 
but which was nothing but an equivocation ; I now 
know, however, that I do not love Lisbeth.” 

“ You know, you know nothing at all, I say,” 
declared Karin with spirit. “ You must love Lisbeth, 
and I will not hear of anything else, do you hear ? I 
will not ! ” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


179 


Karin seized Elias’ arm and clasped her small hands 
tight around it ; Elias took them in his, saying : 

‘‘Do you actually wish it?” 

“ Karin ! Karin ! ” cried the judge from tlie upper 
terrace. The voice sounded wrathful and Karin flew 
to obey the call. 

On the steps to the dining-room door stood Wiks- 
trand, with an aspect which did not bode any good. 

“ What were you doing down there in the garden ? ” 
asked he in a harsh tone when Karin stood before 
him. 

“ I was talking with Elias,” answered she, looking 
quite fearlessly up in the angry face. 

“ There must be an end of that talking,” declared 
the judge, as he went in the house and beckoned to 
Karin to follow him. He took his way to his private 
apartment, and wJien Karin entered it, he locked 
the door. Wikstrand seated himself at the writing 
table and fastened a penetrating look on the young 
girl, in the apparent intention of instituting an exam- 
ination with her. 

“ Where did you stay while you were away ? asked 
he in a short and stern tone. 

“ I was with Catharina,” stammered Karin, casting 
down her eyes. 

“ You lie ; you were at Bratbacken, and only at her 
house a few minutes ; from whence did you come in 
the night and where did you go after you separated 
from Pehr ?” 

Karin said nothing. . 

“Will you answer?” said the judge, and his hand 
fell heavily on the table. 

•‘Ko, uncle, I will not,” responded Karin. 


180 


LITTLE KARIN. 


The judge rose and went quite near the young girl, 
saying in a smothered voice : 

‘‘Be on your guard! My patience has a limit. 
Bay before yesterday you showed yourself as an un- 
grateful child, incapable of understanding anything 
but your own selfish interests ; to-day you stand be- 
fore me like a frivolous hussy, whose behavior excites 
scandal. I know all, and you can only expiate your 
offense through an honest confession of the truth. 
Mark well ! if you do not speak frankly you have no 
indulgence to count upon. You have already squan- 
dered my affection, see to it that you do not husband 
my indulgence as poorly. Well, will you tell me 
where you spent the time you were absent V’ 

“ [N’o, I will not,” said Karin in a low voice. She 
seized Wikstrand’s hand and added beseechingly : — 
“ believe me, when I assure you by the living God 
and my mother’s memory, that you have no reason to 
be angry with me.” 

“ Haven’t I ?” exclaimed the judge pushing her 
from him. “ Have you forgotten that you refused to 
do a slight service to the man who has been to you in 
a father’s place ? Have you forgotten that you, with 
your adventures, have thrown a shadow upon this 
same man, for to expose yourself to general gossip is 
to disgrace your foster-father.'" Bo you believe that I 
intend to allow you to make the judge’s house a topic 
for all the censorious tongues in the district ? Y ou 
have run around like a wanton jade, and visited an 
unmarried man’s house, at a time when respectable 
girls keep themselves at home ; you have had a mid- 
night meeting with JElias, and come home so early in 


LITTLE KARIM. 


181 


the morning that no one in the house was up. "What 
have 3^11 to allege in 3m ur defence 

^‘That I had important things to speak to Herr 
Enkeman about, and that Elias overtook me entirely 
without my knowledge,” replied Karin with a slight- 
ly trembling voice. 

“ Fiddlesticks ! I have been to Enkeman and in- 
quired what brought you there, and he answered : 
‘ nothing particular.’ As far as Elias is concerned, it 
is known by everybody that you and he have had 
meetings of late and tried to be alone with each other. 
You two, who were dearest to my heart, have now 
given rise to scandal and there is only one way of 
making amends for it.” 

The judge ceased; his gaze rested on Karin, who 
stood there with her hands clasped hard together and 
her eyes lowered ; when he continued to be silent, she 
looked up and fastened her tearful eyes upon him as 
she faltered, with deep emotion : 

“And this only way, I suppose, is for me to leave 
3mur house ?” 

“ Could I have sent 3mu away without placing a 
stain upon 3mur honor I would already have done so, 
but now this would only give greater impulse to the 
nice stories people have made up. It only remains 
for 3mu and Elias to marry each other, and through 
this silence all aspersion ; it is my absolute will that 
this should be done without delay.” 

Karin had become very pale. She pressed her 
hands to her breast, drew a deep breath and then said 
in a low but firm voice : 

“ Uncle, this cannot be ! Lisbeth loves Elias. I 


182 


LITTLE KARIN. 


shall never become the wife of the man who possesses 
my sister’s heart.” 

“ Are yon out of your senses, girl ?” roared the 
judge, raising his hand, as if he meant to strike the 
refractory being, but instantly turned away from her, 
saying: 

“ If you do not give your consent to this union by 
to-morrow afternoon, I will turn you out of my house. 
Go ! I have nothing further to say to you. Come no 
nearer to me,” continued he, when Karin, weeping, 
tried to seize his hand ; don’t open your lips, for I 
will not be answerable for what may then happen. 
You have heard my decision, there is no appeal from 
it.” 

Karin turned towards the door, sobbing violently ; 
the next instant she was out of the room. 

The judge looked after her, as a fond father looks 
after a beloved child whom he is obliged to treat 
with severity ; then he rang the bell and sent for 
Elias. 

What transpired between uncle and nephew is not 
necessary to relate. Martha heard them talking loud- 
ly and violently, but did not succeed in catching what 
was said, notwithstanding she exerted herseK to listen 
at the outer door. Lisbeth’s name was mentioned, 
however, of that she was fully convinced. 


CHAPTEE XX. 


AEIX had hastened up to her room and 
locked herself in ; they called her to the cotfee- 
drinking, but she did not obey the summons ; 
they sent word that supper was ready, but she did 
not go down, and when the maid, after supper, came 
up to make the bed, Karin sat writing in the outer 
room. 

Lovisa mentioned to Martha, when she communi- 
cated her observations, that the little Frdken looked 
as if she had been crying very hard. 

Martha replied that it was not strange, as she had 
been reprimanded by the old man. 

When Lisbeth finally came up, Karin still sat 
writing. 

Why is uncle so angry witli you ? ” asked Lisbeth, 
who knew the reason, through Martha. 

“ Because I was out walking with Elias last night,” 
answered Karin, without looking up or interrupting 
her writing. 

“Well, it cannot be denied that he has cause for 
displeasure,” said Lisbeth, taking a comfortable posi- 
tion, “ but he will get over it again.” 

Karin remained silent ; she looked at her sister, 
183 



184 


LITTLE KARIN. 


wlio was regarding lier delicate hands with great 
complacency. 

‘‘ 1 would not be so glad as that if uncle were angry 
with you,” said Karin, at length. 

“Yes, you would, too ; you know that his anger is 
not dangerous, when it is directed towards those he 
loves. For the rest, dear Karin, I am at this moment 
so happy, so happy ! You said that Elias held me 
dear, I now believe it inyseK ; he was so extremely 
good to me this evening.” 

Lisbeth sprang up, threw herself on her sister’s 
neck and added with a captivating smile : 

“Felicity makes us egotists and I, I am at this 
moment very egotistical ; forgive me for it ! ” 

She kissed Karin’s swollen eye-lids and assured 
her that she would speak to uncle the next day and 
bring him around right again. 

“ You will see, that he will be all heartiness to- 
morrow. He said this evening that I could request 
of him whatever I chose, and I will ask him to 
forgive you.” 

Karin sat with her head leaning on her hand and 
listened to her sister’s chat. Elias had been in good 
spirits ; he had thus no sympathy for her, and yet he 
ought to comprehend that things were not as they 
should be when she did not come down to her meals. 
Poor little Karin ! she felt as if abandoned by the 
whole world. 

The morrow came, and before evening Karin was 
to give her answer ; she had employed the night in 
arranging her things, and little or none had she slept ; 
the day found her prepared to leave this home, which 
was so dear to her that she could never cease to regret 


LITTLE KARIN. 


185 


it. Many tears had the light-hearted girl shed during 
these hours ; but when the sun sent forth its rays she 
seemed perfectly submissive to her fate. 

She rose early and stole quietly down stairs, in 
order to get out of the house unobserved. She 
wished to once more visit the spots she most loved, so 
as to bid them hirewell before slie ran away from the 
dear Ekholmen. She took leave of all these places, 
where she had been so joyful and happy. She 
wandered through the garden, stopped here and 
there to whisper a sorrowful good-bye to some bush 
or seat ; then she went further on, to the river. At 
the ferry she sat down. There she had always liked 
to rest. She reviewed in thought the happy days of 
childhood, her awakening to the consciousness of her 
duties and her acts since that time. 

Little Karin laid her hand on her heart, looked up 
in the clear morning sky and breathed the question, 
whether she deserved the stern judgment which her 
uncle had pronounced upon her. 

The sun shone so mildly upon her, and seemed to 
give a negative answer. Karin smiled at the king of 
heaven, clasped her hands, and rose again after a 
short prayer. 

‘‘ Whither goest thou, beauteous maiden ? ” cried a 
gladsome voice behind her, just as she was about to 
continue her way. 

Karin’s cheeks became crimson ; she turned round 
abruptly and looked at Elias, who stood there with a 
smiling expression in his beaming eyes. 

“ Elias,”exclaimed Karin with something resembling 
anger, “ it is unworthy of you to draw sorrow and 
disgrace upon me through your persecutions; had 


186 


LITTLE KARIN. 


you not traveled after me, when I went to tlie city 
and then to Bratbacken, I would never have been 
driven from uncle’s house, as is now the case. What 
in heaven’s name liave I done to you, that you con- 
tinually place me in a false light, precisely as if I had 
appointed rendezvous wnth you. Now they will again 
say that I have been out to meet you. You have done 
me a great deal of harm ; go therefore, and let me be 
in peace these last few liours I am here.” 

Without casting a glance at Elias, Karin hastened 
from him; but although she fled lightly and quickly 
as a bird, Elias was swifter in his motions and checked 
her. 

“Stay, Karin, and hear what I have to say,” ex- 
claimed Elias. “ Uncle has been speaking with me, 
and I have sought you in order to ask you a question.” 

“ What can you have to ask ?” 

“ I have promised uncle that you shall become my 
wife, and now I am here to ask, will you be mine?” 

“Elias!” exclaimed Karin in a tone of fright, as if 
he had occasioned her a deadly pang, and sprang from 
him, as if she had tried to save herself from some 
great danger. 

Elias stood still and made no show of pursuing the 
fugitive. He seated himself on the bench and looked 
over at the ferryman’s house. 


CHAPTEE XXL 



' HE breakfast-bell rang, and from tbeir private 
apartments the family betook themselves to 
the dining-room. All were present with the 
exception of Karin, although it could be said, that every 
one of them had the appearance of being occupied 
with thoughts that did not flow in the usual current. 

Lisbeth, who the evening before had been gladness 
itself, had a troubled and abstracted expression. 
Johanna looked more majestic than one could remem- 
ber to have seen her for a long time. Thure resem- 
bled a thunder-cloud, Elias the pendulum of a clock. 
Constantin looked inquiringly at the others and the 
inspector glanced anxiously at Lisbeth. 

‘‘Where is Karin?’’ inquired the judge in his 
gruflest voice. 

“ I do not know,” answered Lisbeth, “ she went out 
before I was up.” 

“Ah!” 

Breakfast began and continued in silence. The 
only words that were uttered were those wdien 
Johanna asked if they would be helped to anything 
more. They rose from the table, and wdtli unusual 
promptitude each and all hurried to their work. 
187 


188 


LITTLE KARIN. 


The judge and Lisbetli remained, evidently with the 
mutual purpose of exchanging a few words with each 
other. 

‘‘Shall Karin go away? ’’.was the first question 
Lisbeth asked, when they found themselves alone. 

“ Why did you ask that ? ” 

“ She has packed up her clothes.” 

“ Hum, hum, that is cursedly silly,” muttered the 
judge. He sat down by the window, took a pinch of 
snutf, drummed on the window-sill and said after a 
while : — “ to which of you did aunt Karin give her 
jewels when she died ? ” 

“ To Karin ; you, who are my guardian, could not 
have forgotten that,” answered Lisbeth, looking at the 
judge with wonder. 

“ Yes, that is true ; I had almost forgotten that 
she gave you two thousand thalers in money, to be 
conferred as a dowry in case you married, and in a 
contrary event, to be kept at interest until you were 
fifty years old.” 

“Yes, that was it.” 

A pause again ensued. The judge thereupon 
turned abruptly to Lisbeth, asking : 

“Do you know why Karin is preparing to go 
away ? ” 

Lisbeth replied that it was probably because he had 
desired her departure. . 

“Hot exactly that ; she prefers to go rather than 
obey me,” answered he and looked searchingly at 
Lisbeth. 

“ What do you demand of Karin, uncle ? ” inquired 
Lisbeth with an inexplicable mien. 

“ To marry Elias.” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


189 


That must not be ! ” exclaimed Lisbeth hastily. 

‘‘And why not?” The judge now stood before 
Lisbeth with his arms crossed. 

“Because — because” — Lisbeth did not finish the 
sentence, but burst into tears. 

“ Ah ha, that is where the shoe pinches,” muttered 
Wikstrand to himself. lie swung on his heel and 
was going to leave the room, but at the sound of his 
step Lisbeth hastened after him. 

“ Uncle,” cried she, “Elias must not marry Karin, 
it would be my death.” 

The judge smiled, patted Lisbeth on the cheek and 
said : 

“ One does not die from so little, and Karin shall 
marry Elias. This is my wfll.” 

“ But not mine,” exclaimed Lisbeth after he left 
her. “ As long as I breathe, it shall not be ; sooner 
may Karin go to the world’s end.” 

She flew from the dining-room and up to her oavii 
apartment, in the hope of finding Karin ; but only 
the ready packed trunks were there, proving that 
Karin intended to leave their common home. Still 
this did not move Lisbeth ; her feelings towards her 
sister were bitter, and she had a burning desire to see 
her, in order to tell her that she had no right to allow 
herself to be persuaded into a marriage with Elias. 

Lisbeth went down to look for Karin and took her 
way across the yard straight to the river, not stopping 
until she reached the ferry. She began to call. The 
ferry-man came out, and Lisbeth inquired whether he 
had seen her sister, but receiving a negative answer, 
slie returned home. 

Slie was in a bad humor, and so taken up Avith her 


190 


LITTLE KAEJN. 


own selfish interests that she did not for a single 
instant think of Karin, or remember how troubled the 
poor child had been the previous evening. 

In the garden she met Johanna, who also inquired 
after Karin ; they had stopped while they exchanged 
* the question and answer. 

“ What in heaven’s name does this mean ? ” ex- 
claimed Johanna suddenly. “ There comes Fetter, 
carrying Karin in his arms.” 

She hurried towards them. 

‘‘ It is not dangerous dear aunt,” said Karin with 
efibrt. “I have sprained my ancle and hurt my 
head.” 

Johanna now caught sight of a white bandage, 
which was tied around the^young girl’s head, with red 
stains on it. Johanna’s good heart softened imme- 
diately and sympathy dispelled all other feelings. 
She asked no questions, but told Fetter to carry Karin 
up to Johanna’s own room, where she also accom- 
panied her. 

Lisbeth made some inquiries of Fetter, and learned 
that he had found Karin lying in a fainting-fit with a 
large cut on her head, out in the meadow. Karin 
herself merely said : 

‘‘Do not be ’worried, dear Lisbeth, it is nothing 
dangerous.” 

A supei’fiuous injunction, for Lisbeth did not possess 
the same happy faculty as Johanna, of letting com- 
passion supersede selfishness. 

Karin was carried up stairs ; a physician was sent 
for, and the judge was instantly informed of what 
had happened. 

With the speed of a youth, old man Wikstrand 


LITTLE KARIN. 


191 


hurried up to his little favorite, and found her in a 
pitiable condition. The gash in her head still bled 
and gave her great pain ; her foot was badly swollen 
and ached constantly. 

When the judge bent down over her, she put her 
arms around his neck and whispered : 

“ Dear, darling uncle, do not be angry with me ; I 
shall lose my reason if you continue to be stern to 
your little Karin ; she is not so lost as you believe.” 

The old man was now conquered, and “cursedly” 
enraged at himself for having spoken hard words to 
his pet ; he knew better than ever, that she was a 
little jewel of the purest water. 

This and much more he said to his darling ; but was 
soon obliged to occupy himself exclusively with her 
outward injuries, as she fainted right in the midst 
of his speech. 

The physician came, the wound in her head was 
bandaged, her foot was put in place, and she was laid 
in aunt Johanna’s own bed, so that she could rest 
undisturbed. So far all was well and good ; but, alas, 
this did not alleviate Karin’s suffering; she had a 
fever and was delirious ; she was for several days very 
ill, although her life was not in danger. When the 
fever finally subsided, the usually brisk little Karin 
was extremely weak. She lay very still on her white 
bed, more like a ghost than a living being. 

The judge dragged out the time in the greatest 
anguish of mind. He was constantly going up and 
down stairs. Between spells he grumbled at Martha 
for telling tales; at Johanna, for allowing Martha and 
the other servants to talk about the family ; at Elias, 
for being the cause of the hard words Karin had eli- 


192 


LITTLE KARIN. 


dured; at Lisbetli, for not being constantly with 
Karin, and finally at the justice, when the latter came 
on a visit, for participating in things which must 
place Karin in a dubious light. In short, he grum- 
bled at everybody except Karin. 

At an extra court, which was obliged to be held 
during these days, the old judge was so cross and testy 
that it was a matter of surprise to everybody. 

Other petty vexations liad occurred. Tliure, his 
right hand man and best assistant, received a letter 
from his mother, the same day Karin hurt herself, 
which occasioned him to leave Ekholmen immediately. 
Through this the judge had more to do, just when he 
wanted to be at leisure, and to complete the misfor- 
tune, it so happened that when Karin was the sickest, 
there were two extra sessions. 

On Johanna, also, Thure’s unexpected departure 
had made a very unfavorable impression. In the 
first place he had not given her the reasons for 
this sudden move, only that a letter from his mother 
forced him to it. In the second, he had, in taking 
leave of her, thanked her for all her “motherly” kind- 
ness and begged that she would allow him, on his 
return, to show her his filial affection. 

Poor Johanna! Had not the anxiety for Karin 
taken up her thoughts, there wmuld have been immi- 
nent risk of Thure’s filial affection giving her gray 
hair, so deeply had she taken it to heart. As it was, 
she only muttered in an indignant tone, after he left : 

“ lie has become crazy, as he speaks of filial feel- 
ings to a woman who, at the most, is of the same age 
as he. Could I have been mistaken in Thure ? Ko, 
I will not even suppose such a thing.” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


193 


Jolianna sighed, thought of Karin, Bratbacken and 
the justice, but dispelled all these bitter reflections, in 
order to hasten in to the sick girl and change the 
bandage on her head. 

Karin’s illness occasioned Lisbeth a number of te- 
dious days. Elias was up in aunt Johanna’s little 
parlor every leisure moment, to inquire after Karin, 
and during, meals he sat so silent and looked so anx- 
ious, that Lisbeth, with all the pangs of jealousjq 
fancied that she could read in his face, how warm his 
interest for Karin was. 

He did not pay Lisbeth any attention, but seemed 
to forget that she existed. She was thus left entirely 
to herself, to have it as monotonous as possible; he 
did nothing to entertain her. Constantin was so 
closely occupied that he had not a moment to spare, 
and Lisbeth had consequently no adorer to plague or 
to divert herself with, and this was exceedingly de- 
plorable, as she was tormented by jealousy in addition. 

She was obliged to content herself with the inspec- 
tor, and the poor fellow so neglected his affairs, to 
sun himself in Lisbeth’s presence, that he was remind- 
ed one fine day of the safest course for him to pursue, 
when the judge surprised him chatting with Lisbeth, 
and so the poor girl was deprived of him too. 

Jealousy made her insensible to Karin’s sufferings ; 
it silenced all compassion only increased regret. 

Lisbeth, the courted, the coquettish Lisbeth, now 
endured the same feelings that Johanna had endured 
through her when she drew all the attention from 
her aunt and concentrated it upon herself. 

After a little more than two weeks, Karin was so 
far recovered that she could lie dressed on Johanna’s 
9 


194 


LITTLE KARIN. 


parlor sofa ; but slie was strictly forbidden to exert 
herself or stand on her feet. 

Johanna continued to take good care of her, al- 
though no longer with the same exclusive interest as 
when she was the most ill. Johanna’s mind was again 
engrossed by her own affairs. Thure and the justice 
haunted her. The latter had been to Ekholmen 
several times during Karin’s illness, to hear how the 
little one ” was, and evinced an interest at these times 
which Johanna considered fussy and uncalled-for. 

Thure had not yet returned and his parting words 
rang inharmoniously in Johanna’s ears, like a toll 
over her last romantic illusions. She trembled at the 
thought that she might possibly live to see Enkeman’s 
marriage with another, and Thure’s transformation 
into a deferential son. She would perhaps be depriv- 
ed of the dreamed-of happiness, namely, of being 
obliged to console the despairing Thure after she had 
resolved to become mistress of Bratbacken. 

"Wikstrand was up with Karin whenever he had an 
opportunity, and, as Johanna also spent the greater 
part of the day there, Lisbeth was only with her 
sister when the others were absent. 

She was either peevish and impatient or else de- 
spondent. When not complaining of her sufferings 
she sat silent and looked sullen. Kever had the 
beautiful Lisbeth appeared so little to advantage, as 
during this time. 


CHAPTEE XXII. 



^ UMMEE heat began to be felt ; the sun was 
lowing, and the wind rested passively on the 
I tops and flower stalks, without making a 
single flight. 

On such a still, warm day Karin had been carried 
out of Johanna’s bed-room by Wikstrand, and laid on 
the sofa in the little parlor. She was now left alone, 
as uncle and aunt had gone to attend to their affliirs. 
The windows were open and the fragrance of flowers 
and the song of birds came in through them and sur- 
rounded the young girl. 

The little frizzly head lay wearily on the pillow, 
and the pale face looked still paler than usual. 

Karin held in her hand a flue bouquet, which she 
smelt of as she smilingly regarded the beautiful 
flowers. 

The door opened, a head peeped in and a sprightly 


voice asked : 

“Will the princess of Ekholmen allow me to pay 
her my respects?” Without waiting for an answer 
Elias stepped in and closed the door after him ; but 
remained standing just inside. 

Karin looked at him, and the pale cheeks gained a 
195 


196 


LITTLE KARIN. 


higher color. They had not seen each other since she 
ran away from him at the ferry. 

‘‘The princess allows you to come nearer,” answered 
she, concealing her face in her bouquet. 

With a single bound Elias was by the side of the 
sofa. Tie seized one of her hands and exclaimed : 

“ Hurrah for little lAarin, who has at last left her 
bed ! I have been in despair during your illness and 
felt an irresistible desire to shoot uncle and then 
myself through the brow. It was cursedly disagreea- 
ble to have pangs of conscience ; but now it will be 
pleasant again at Ekholmen. Had you not recovered, 
uncle and I would have given up the ghost, so worried 
were we over your illness.” 

“Well tlien, it was a good thing that I got well,” 
replied Karin with a bright smile, “ it would really 
have been dreadful if you had shot uncle and yourself. 
I would never have supposed that you were so evil- 
minded.” 

“ Evil-minded am I in a very high degree, and if I 
am not allowed to peep in here every day and chat 
with you, I will do all sorts of mischief. Is there any 
sense and reason for you, our only joy, to get a wound' 
in the head and sprain your ankle, merely for the sake 
of escaping from me ; for I strongly suspect that you 
fell down when you rushed away from the ferry ?” 

Elias took the hand which held the flowers and 
raised the bouquet to his nose. 

“ Yes, Elias, there was indeed ; do you know, I was 
so frightened, that I would absolutely liave run to the 
end of the earth and never come back, if I had not 
fallen and hurt myself.” 


LITTLE KAKIN. 197 

“ But my dearest Karin, what was it that frightened 
you 

Do you ask that ?’’ 

Yes, as you hear.” 

Karin became red as fire. 

“Have you forgotten what we were speaking of?” 

“ I have not forgotten a single word,” answered 
Elias ; his hand clasped Karin’s more firmly and his 
nose was pressed deeper into the bosom of the fiowers : 
“just because I have not thought of anything else but 
this conversation of ours during your illness, I cannot 
comprehend why you took to flight. Am I so ugly 
and detestable a man, that a young girl, at the mere^ 
idea of having me for a husband, must run as if she 
were pursued by furies ? To me it vrould have been 
very pleasant, if we could have talked peaceably to- 
gether, and considered how to settle the matter to 
uncle’s satisfaction. Had you stayed and listened to 
me, much trouble would have been spared us ; but so 
it goes, when one is afraid of shadows.” 

“ But, Elias, you did not say that you wished to con- 
sider, but only that — that” — 

“ I found uncle’s proposition good ; but mercy on 
me, Karin, was that so terrible ?” Elias looked at her 
with smiling eyes. 

“ If you had actually found it good, that would 
have been terribly ill of you,” said Karin with inten- 
sity. “ It was a very sad day when I hurt myself,” 
continued she. The morning before, I had felt so 
rich in joy and life seemed so glorious, that I did not 
wish to change lots with any one. I knew within 
myself that I had become a better person, that I had 
done my duty, and that I possessed a little right to 


198 


LITTLE KARIN. 


rejoice OTer it ; therefore I dreamed a heautiful dream 
about how the little wild Karin would succeed in 
producing harmony and unanimity, where dissension 
and ill-will had prevailed ; she would bring together 
hearts which were created for each other, and one day 
behold all this with her soul full of delight. 

“ While I was building these castles in the air, 
I had to learn that one ought to fear the dreams for- 
tune mirrors tons: she is faithless. Faithlessly she 
deceived me; I felt that, when uncle in his anger 
crushed my heai't and made me as miserable as I had 
been happy before. Ilis command, that I should 
marry you, was like a death sentence. Should I take 
Lisbeth’s highest happiness from her ; should I bind 
you to me, whom you did not love ? Dear, dear Elias, 
if I was once more threatened with any such thing, I 
would run until I got another cut in the head. When 
a girl has been as happy as I, she does not know how 
to bear misfortune.” 

“Was it then so great a misfortune that you should 
marry me asked Elias. 

“Most assuredly, I can scarcely imagine a greater. 
You are in love with Lisbeth and Lisbeth” — 

“ Wait a moment and let us consider the first point. 
Assume that I am no longer in love with Lisbeth.” 

“ Elias, do not begin in that way again, for if you 
do I may jump out of the window,” interrupted Karin, 
raising herself hastily. 

Elias laid his hand on her arm and with gentle force 
pressed the little impetuous creature dowm on the 
pillow, saying: 

“ Be still and listen to me calmly. What I have to 
say will anyhow pass my lips sooner or later. You 


LITTLE KARIN. 


199 


and I must understand each other, and therefore you 
are forced to hear the language of truth. Well then, 
I no longer love Lisbeth, have not done so since I 
returned to Ekholmen. The feeling I once cherished 
for her is dead, and that which is dead cannot be re- 
vived again. Without love I will never marry, and 
now that I have seriously declared this, I ask you to 
become mine, and I have only said what my heart feels 
for you.’’ 

Elias ceased, Karin’s face was hidden in the bouquet. 
He contemplated her, as she lay there quite still, 
without making a motion or saying a word; finally a 
sound was heard as of sobbing. 

Quick £,s a fiash Elias drew the bouquet from her face 
and said : 

What, Karin, do you weep ? It thus pains you 
that I hold you dear.” 

^Wery, very much; your words have so deeply 
distressed me, that I can never be haj)py again.” 

‘‘ Why ? Is it such a great calamity to be loved by 
me ?” 

“I was not thinking of that; I was thinking of 
Lisbeth, who will never be able to console herself for 
the loss of your love.” 

Do not weep for Lisbeth, she does not love me, 
and even if she did this would change nothing in our 
position. I shall never marry her ; I am deeply at- 
tached to you, and if I can’t get you, then ” — 

But I, I will never become yours,” interrupted 
Karin. “I shall never believe in you. Kow go,” 
added she with great vehemence. 

Elias was not at all inclined to obey, but as J ohanna 


200 


LITTLE KARIN. 


just then entered and inquired whether Karin was 
worse, he absented himself. 

Some time elapsed. 

Karin’s injury in the head was healed, the bandage 
removed, and her foot also began to get better. Not- 
withstanding this, she was no longer buoyant and 
cheerful, but seemed like a little bird whose wings 
had been injured and who had therefore lost courage. 

The judge carried her down in the garden when 
the weather was fine, and did everything to cheer her 
up. She smiled gratefully at one who showed her 
so much kindness and tried to look happy when he 
was present ; but he perceived clearly that something 
Avas wrong. Finally, AVikstrand could not stand it to 
see his glad little lark so disheartened, and so he 
sought her one day, when Johanna and Lisbeth accom- 
panied by Constantin had gone to the parsonage^ 
The judge seated himself by Karin, under the trees in 
the garden. 

“ Ilow is it my lassie ?” said he : “ seems to me you 
have been cursedly sorrowful of late. What have you 
got on your mind? You can’t be thinking of my 
btern Avords that morning ? You certainly understand 
that that matter was forgotten long ago, and that 
I will not force you to anything Avhich is repugnant 
to you.” 

Karin put her arms around his neck, leaned against 
him and said : 

“ Dear, beloved uncle, if you continue to urge Avhat 
you then Avished to force me to, I would not be able 
to obey you, and so I hope that you will not speak 
of it any more.” 

“ But confoimd it all, Avhy do you say it in such a 


LITTLE KARIN. 


201 


sad tone ? 'Now then, spunk up and sing out what it 
is that lies on your heart. Are you in love 

Karin twined her arms more tightly about her 
uncle’s neck and wliispered : 

I mourn because Elias no longer loves Lisbeth 
now when she has fastened all her hope and all her 
happiness upon him.” 

The judge began to whistle. 

“Uncle,” exclaimed Karin passionately, “you must 
not misunderstand Lisbeth ; she has been childish and 
vain, but she is really good and warm-hearted. I best 
know how deeply she is attached to Elias. If I am 
not allowed to see them united and her happy, I will 
never be cheerful again.” 

“ What a girl you are ; but the deuce take it, if you 
will calm yourself, I will see that things are so arrang- 
ed that you can again rejoice at life.” 

“But Elias has declared, that — ^that — that he is 
not attached to Lisbeth, that he will never marry 
any one but — but me, and that is the reason I am 
so deeply troubled.” 

Wikstrand gave Karin a furtive yet searching glance, 
in which something mischievous was reflected ; this 
however escaped Karin as she sat there with down- 
cast eyes. After a short pause, the judge resumed : 

“ I do not think you need to grieve so terribly over 
Elias’ words, for if he at present wishes to have you 
for a wife, it may come from the fact that after the 
midnight walk he considers that honor demands him 
to make you this reparation, especially as I required 
it. Lisbeth has wounded his self-love, and therefore 
he believes that it is all over with his attachment to 
her; but I have a different opinion and promise to ad- 


202 


LITTLE KARIN. 


just the matter; but then you must be my little light- 
hearted Karin.” 

“ Ah, that I will ! that I will !” exclaimed Karin, 
as she raised her head and looked at her uncle with a 
smiling face. 

‘‘Wait a little, I have a couple of conditions to affix 
before I meddle in the affair; first I wish to know 
why you refused to lend me your money, and next 
what you did at Enkeman’s house, the night they saw 
you in the woods with Elias? If I am to fulfill your 
desires, you must fulfill mine.” 

Karin again dropped her head and put her arms 
around her uncle’s neck, whispering : 

“Kot even for the prize of Lisbeth’s happiness can 
I tell you that.” She pressed her lips to his cheek 
and added : if you love your little Karin, then believe 
her when she solemnly assures you that she cannot, 
ought not to say what you desire to know. Be con- 
vinced that my silence does not conceal anything 
which makes me unworthy your affection.” 

“ Oh yes, you will not have confidence in me. I 
am thus forced to do your errands in good faith, un- 
certain whether you deserve my kindness or not. It 
is a cursed fix ; but I will surely find out the truth at 
last, else I would not be “the shrewd Wikstrand,” as 
they call me. Wliat you meanwhile will be compel- 
led to submit to, is not to talk about Elias to Lisbeth. 
Can you promise this?” 

“ I can.” 

“ All right ; then I will begin my work with the 
young gentleman.” 

Karin had no words for her gratitude ; her whole 


LITTLE KARIN. 


203 


face clianged and acquired tlie old lively expression. 
Her eyes again beamed with joy. 

A week after this conversation she could stroll 
around in the garden, leaning on a cane, and in a 
week more she was completely recovered. Her glad 
songs and merry laugh were again heard. She was 
happy as a child, but still she was not the same as 
before her injury. There were moments when her 
rosy face looked serious and reflective, yet without 
any shadow of sorrow. Her lively and excitable dis- 
position had not the same profitless activity, but 
showed itself in a sincere desire for useful occupation, 
whicli became her well. She did not embroider, 
neither did she crochet ; and she could sometimes, 
when the family were together, sit unemployed, chat- 
ting and jesting, most of all with Thure, whom she 
treated with great friendliness after his return. Still 
she made up for the time she thus wasted, by getting 
up early in the morning, when she sewed and worked 
while her sister was asleep. During the day she 
helped about the house and was on hand in the dairy 
and store-closet. 

Johanna had not been particularly disposed to allow 
Karin to participate in household affairs, but was 
obliged to agree to it when brother Magnus issued his 
orders to that effect. In the beginning this so dis- 
pleased Johanna that all her kindliness towards Karin 
disappeared, and the former hostile state of mind re- 
asserted itself. 

Karin remembered, however, how tenderly J ohanna 
had taken care of her during her sickness, and showed 
so much amiability and patience, that this chafed 
Johanna stiU more than if she had resisted hey. 


204 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Johanna saw in all Karin’s deeds only a proof that 
the self-interested girl had the intention of marrying 
the justice. Thence came her desire to he useful, to 
learn all sorts of domestic arts, and thence came also 
her forbearance with Johanna, whom she had robbed 
of the most faithful of adorers. 

Enkeman often came to Ekholmen, but he no longer 
came for Johanna’s sake, that w^as plain to be seen; 
for although she was extremely polite, cheerful, enter- 
taining and magnificent to behold, it was not to her he 
devoted his attention, but to Karin. This increased 
Johanna’s ill-will towards the young girl and stimulated 
the desire to again conquer the once rejected suitor. 
This desire kept pace with her jealousy, so that she 
could only share her thoughts between Thure and the 
justice. She thought no further about Lisbeth and 
Elias, took no umbrage because Constantin looked 
more and more enamored each day, or because the in- 
spector did all manner of ridiculous things whenever 
Lisbeth w^as in the same room as he. 

Thure had at his return to Ekholmen shown Johan- 
na redoubled politeness, and spoken so finely about 
his gratitude and affection that she again began to be- 
lieve in a warmer friendship on his side. Had not 
the unfortunate desire awoke in Johanna’s soul to be 
mistress of Bratbacken, she would assuredly have 
felt quite happy at seeing Thure as he then was. This 
joy had now become of subordinate value. 

Lisbeth exerted herself to the utmost to regain 
Elias, and in these efforts became cold and capricious 
to all the others. She also thought : 

“ How succeed in driving Karin from the field ?” 

And Karin, who was otherwise so anxious to please 


LITTLE KARIN. 


205 


her aunt, who in all respects behaved in an amiable 
manner, could however not refrain from teasing her 
when the justice was present. The young girl always 
succeeded in making Johanna’s displeasure rise several 
degrees. ISTay, it went so far that Johanna passed 
sleepless nights every now and then, and almost con- 
ceived a feeling of hate for Karin. 

One afternoon when they gathered under the large 
lindens in thevard to drink coffee, Karin was missing. 
The maid was told to look for her, but she then 
informed them, that Frdken Karin had gone away 
directly after dinner, saying that she would pay a visit 
to Catharina’s. 

Johanna, who was just pouring out the coffee when 
Lovisa made this announcement, spilled some on the 
table-cloth. 

Elias took occasion to jest over it, whereupon Jo- 
hanna answered in a sliaiy) tone : 

“ It would be well, Elias, if no other stains were to 
be found than these on the table-cloth here, and if no 
greater fault was committed than that of spilling coffee.” 
Johanna threw a challenging glance at Lisbeth. The 
latter, who was not in a good humor either, asked 
what she meant. 

“I mean that it would be much better, if Elias 
occupied himself with Karin’s long and mysterious 
l^romenades instead of the spilled coffee,” declared 
Johanna and became crimson. 

The inspector, the only gentleman present besides 
Elias, swallowed his coffee with incredible rapidity, 
bowed, and hastened to his duties. When he was 
gone, Elias ceased to throw bread crumbs to the birds, 


206 


LITTLE KARIN. 


something lie amused himself with, and turned to his 
dear aunt with a serious rebuke. 

Elias spoke with so much severity, that Johanna 
could not remember ever having heard him express 
himself in that way to her before. When he finished 
he launched the question, whether it was her design 
to throw the shadow of disrepute upon Karin. 

Johanna’s answer was equally caustic. She declared 
positively, that Karin was artful and coquettish, that 
under a childish, frolicsome and lively exterior she 
concealed a calculating, self-interested and cold heart. 
She was, according to Johanna’s opinion, the greatest 
flirt that tramped the earth. With this last assertion 
Lisbeth coincided ; it was a mournful truth, she said, 
but one which she could not den}-. 

Elias let them talk, he looked now at one now at 
the other, while his brow became red and his eyes 
flashed. At length, when the two ladies had become 
fully in unison and quite eloquent, Elias rose and said 
calmly : 

I never would have believed that envy could so 
mislead a right-thinking person, such as aunt, or that 
it could induce Lisbeth to speak ill of her sister.” 

Elias was about to go; but Johanna laid her hand 
on his arm and pointed to the carriage-drive. 

“Who comes there?” asked she. “You may be 
forced to admit that I do not judge so terribly un- 
justly, when I accuse Karin of calculation. Believe 
my words, we will soon have a betrothal. The 
designing girl knows full well what she wants, and to 
be mistress of Bratbacken is not so bad. Karin is 
very, very shrewd ; remember tjiat.” 

Elias looked towards the road, up which the justice’s 


LITTLE KARIN. 


207 


cliaise came driving ; in it, by Enkeman’s side sat 
Karin, chatting quite merrily with her companion. 

A warm flush burned on Elias’ face, as he 
thought : 

“ Could it be possible that Karin, the little joyous 
Karin, whom 1 hold so dear, should have the inten- 
tion of marrying Enkeman, because he is rich ? ” 

Elias hastened towards them. What he thought, 
when lie greeted Enkeman, we do not know; but 
Avlien he helped Karin from the chaise, he looked so 
fierce, that she could not refrain from exclaiming : 

‘‘Has anything happened, as you have such a 
solemn mien ? ” 

“Kothing that I know of,” was Elias’ short answer. 

The justice went to greet Johanna and Lisbeth, 
said some complimentary things to them, and then 
inquired for Wikstrand. When he learned that the 
judge was not at home he did not seat himself on the 
chair Johanna with an affable smile offered him, but 
said he had only come to Ekholmen because he had to 
drive Karin there ; he had important matters to attend 
to and could not stay longer. 

Johanna colored deeply, and bowed, her head ma- 
jestically when the ex-suitor took leave. The chaise 
rolled away, but Johanna’s dudgeon remained. 

Karin had thrown herself down on one of the 
garden seats; she took a cup of coffee and looked 
Avonderingly upon those present, all of whom had 
something morose in their aspect. 

What in the world is the matter with you ? ” cried 
she. “Are you sick, angry, or at variance with each 
other? You Lisbeth, look as if you had been quar- 
reling with Elias, and Elias, as if” — 


208 


LITTLE KARIN. 


‘‘ He intended to ask you when your betrothal with 
Herr Enkeman was going to be celebrated/’ inter- 
ruj)ted Elias with assumed gayety. 

Karin laughed, drank her cold coffee, and declared 
that one would not have to wait very long for 
Enkeman’s betrothal; then she flew to the gate, 
where a ragged man and two half-starved children 
were seen. They had stopped, hesitating whether 
they should venture in. Karin exchanged a few 
words with the man and showed him and the children 
to the kitchen, after which she darted into the main 
building, came out again, and started down to the 
kitchen with a change of clothes under her arm. 

Johanna saw all this, but acted as if she perceived 
nothing ; she, who usually had a lively interest for 
the children of poverty, could not now trouble herself 
to bestow her compassion upon them. 

Elias had lighted a cigar, and began to smoke it in 
silence while he regarded Lisbeth wlu) was crocheting. 

After a while Johanna went up to her own room. 
Lisbeth proposed a walk to Elias, but he could not 
accompany her ; some law reports must be ready 
before evening. 

They separated, Lisbeth went alone to take a 
walk. She looked quite out of humor. 

Elias had indeed the laudable intention of proceed- 
ing immediately to the office to work, but was checked 
when he saw Karin come out of the kitchen. Lie 
went to her and said : 

“ Is it true, Karin, vrhat they assert ? ” 

“Well, what do they assert?” asked Karin, giving 
him a sunny glance. 

“ That you are speculating upon Bratbacken. Tell 


LITTLE KARIN. 


209 


me honestly, as if you stood in the presence of God, 
have you ever thought of such a thing ? ” 

“ ]^ever,” answered Karin, with an open look. 
‘‘ Have you really been able to believe it ? 

“*€ertainly not, but aunt’s words began to make 
me uneasy, and — and I confess, that they tormented 
my heart. You are so singularly intimate with 
Enkeman that ” — 

Karin laughed, put her arm in Elias’ and drew him 
with her down in the garden. He went, forgetting 
that he had refused Lisbeth, the beautiful, the capti- 
vating Lisbeth, his company. 

What Karin had to confide to him is unnecessary to 
communicate, but what we cannot avoid mentioning 
is, that Lisbeth, from one of the arbors where she 
■was sitting, saw Elias walking arm in arm with Karin. 
Her first impulse made her rise in order to go and tell 
Elias, that she would never, never pardon the affront 
he had given her ; the next forced her to sink down 
on the seat and burst into tears. 

She was very unhappy ; she had never before felt 
so deeply imbittered, and she would not forgive Karin 
the harm she had done her. Lisbeth wished and 
meant to be revenged ; she would punish Karin’s 
faithlessness. She pressed her hands tight to her 
breast, and set her lips together to check the angry 
woids which tried to pass over them. She followed 
her sister and Elias witli her eyes. An irresistible 
desire seized her to gh^e vent to her feelings through 
a violent scream when she saw how cheerfully and 
familiarly they talked to each other. It finally 
became impossible for her to endure it. She left the 
arbor and went straight to them. 


210 


LITTLE KARIN. 


“It is terrible, wliat a burry you are iu with the law 
reports, she cried out in a tone meant to be sportive, 
but in reality acrimonious. 

“ Pardon me, dear Lisbeth,’’ replied Elias laughing, 
“ I was indeed in a great hurry ; but Karin came out 
of the kitchen, and then I was obliged to find out 
when the betrothal with Herr Enkeman is to take 
place.” 

Lisbeth’s face lightened somewhat. "With an ironi- 
cal smile she asked : 

“ W ell, I suppose you have had your curiosity 
satisfied ? ” 

“ Certainly, and you will see, dear Lisbeth, that we 
will soon dance at the betrothal party. I am so glad 
at the thought of it, that I feel tempted to begin the 
ball already.” 

Elias took Lisbeth around the waist and waltzed 
with her. The pretty maiden thought : 

“ It would not be possible for Elias to be in such 
good spirits now, if he had the least fancy for Karin.” 
Aloud she said : 

“ Let go of me, Elias, and talk sense ; who is to bo 
betrothed ?” 

“ Herr Enkeman, don’t you hear ? There will then 
be a large party at Bratbacken. You see, Lisbeth, 
while you are distributing mittens, other people, whom 
one would not have suspected of any such thing, get 
engaged. Kow, beauteous lady, I will go to my 
copying.” 

He released Lisbeth, and was with a few rapid 
bounds up the terrace steps. The two girls stood and 
looked at each other. Karin bent a searching glance 


LITTLE KARIN. 211 

on her sister, and Lisbetli regarded Karin with a 
doubting expression. 

“ What does this mean exclaimed Lisbetli at 
length. ‘‘ Are you going to be betrothed 

“ Herr Enkeman intends to take a wife, and to 
this, my dearest Lisbetli, yon will certainly have no 
objection 

“ Hone at all ; but that you, a girl of eighteen, should 
wish to have him for a husband, is more than I can 
comprehend.” 

“ The wisest thing for you is not to think of it at 
all,” said Karin ; “ I for my part desire that we may 
not talk about it at present. When the matter is set- 
tled, and uncle Magnus has given his consent, I will 
speak of everything concerning it, but now, dear Lis- 
beth, I would rather have you tell me why you had 
such a strange expression when you came to Elias and 
me ?” 

Lisbetli remained silent and looked down ; then she 
answered with a low voice : 

Karin, I was jealous ; I have been so ever since 
the night when you and Elias were out. Forgive 
me,” added she, as she put her arm around Karin’s 
shoulders ; “ but my whole soul has been in a tumult, 
and I have not been able to entertain any friendly 
feelings for you. Ah, I know that this is wrong ; but 
I have never until these last weeks known how deeply 
I loved Elias. I feel that if he should become attached 
to any one else I would be boundlessly miserable, yes, 
so miserable, that ” — 

Lisbetli checked herself, for Karin’s rosy face had 
become perfectly white. 

“ Why do you turn pale ?” she asked. 


212 


LITTLE KARIN. 


“ Because it always seems terrible to me, wlien you 
talk in that extreme way. It may be, that Elias, 
wounded by your mocking refusal, will never again 
offer you his heart and hand.’’ 

“ If that is so,” screamed Lisbeth, drawing herself 
away, then you deceived me, when you represented 
that he still loved me. Ah, now 1 see how it is ; you 
did it in order to lull me in security, while you your- 
self sought to gain his heart. I see clearly, that you 
are false and intriguing, as aunt asserts, although I 
did not wish to believe it.” 

As soon as Lisbeth began her tirade, Karin turned 
her steps towards a large arbor. Lisbeth followed 
her and continued with rising heat. She could not 
see that Karin’s face expressed sorrow. 

On reaching the arbor, Karin turned abruptly to 
her sister, interrupting her with these words : — 
“What avails these eternal outbreaks of passion ? 
They weary, without bringing you nearer the aim. 
You ought to take it for granted that I was mistaken 
when I thought that Elias’ feeling for you was the 
same as before his journey to Norway. I now con- 
sider it my duty to tell you this, and I leave it to you 
to obtain the certainty. Elias said, that you had deeply 
wounded him, and his words led me to divine that his 
love for you is no longer wdiat I supposed it to be. It 
is possible that it may again become so ; but then you 
must try to overcome your coquetry, your hasty and 
capricious disposition, and only let the good instincts 
in your soul have the ascendency. And now I will 
leave you ; I do not wish to hear your accusations, or 
to see you distorted by anger.” 

Karin nodded to her sister and went. She took her 


LITTLE EAUIN. 


213 


way out of the garden and down to the ferry. She 
walked with slow steps, bowed head and musing gaze. 
The curly hair was moved by the wind, the little straw 
hat looked as if ready to take flight ; it sometimes 
raised itself a little from her head, yet this did not 
disturb the 3^oung girl in her meditations. 

"VYhat occupied little Karin’s mind ? 

The consciousness that she held Elias very dear, that 
it would have been the height of happiness if she had 
been allowed to become his wife and to love him as 
much as she chose. Karin was thinking of all this ; 
but still it was perfectly clear to her that she never 
could be happ3^, if this happiness caused Lisbeth sor- 
row. 

When Karin reached this point, she stumbled upon 
Thure, just as he stepped ashore from the boat. 

She nodded to him and intended to continue her 
way. She had avoided the young notary ever since 
her recovery. It appeared as though she did not And 
it asrreeable to come in contact with him, when she 
no longer teased him. Thure, on the contrary, had 
for the last few weeks sought Karin, apparently with 
the praiseworthy design of having a private . conversa- 
tion with her. Hitherto this had failed ; there was 
now a favorable opportunity. 

Are you in a hurry ?” asked he, blocking her way. 

Hot precisely.” 

I would so like to talk with you. If you have no 
objection I will keep you company in your walk.” 

‘‘ But if aunt Johanna should find it out ?” said Ka- 
rin with a smile. 

“Well, what then?” Thure reddened. 

“ Why, she might be jealous on your account, too. 


214 


LITTLE KARIN. 


and that would he too bad.’’ Karin laughed. You 
liave probably noticed that I have avoided doing any- 
thing which could displease her. I have ceased to 
banter you, and shunned you besides as if you were 
dangerous to iny peace. All out of consideration for 
aunt, who was so extremely kind to me, when I was 
sick. You have been left unmolested to render her 
your admiration and perform your role of Platonic 
lover, without my laughing at your ridiculous behav- 
ior or pointing out its meanness. You ought to be 
particularly delighted with me ; but I cannot deny 
myself the pleasure of now telling you, that my for- 
bearance proceeded from gratitude to aunt, not from 
regard for you.” 

‘‘ Have you finished ?”asked Thure. 

‘‘ I have.” 

In that case you ought to allow one question : is 
it also from gratitude to aunt that you excite her 
jealousy of Enkeman ?” 

‘‘ It is.” 

“ A peculiar way of being grateful.” 

Do you wish me to explain myself ?” 

“ If you are willing.” 

“ Well then, I shall continue to do all in my power 
to arouse and stimulate her jealousy, because this feel- 
ing will keep her from treasuring your homage too 
highly, and finally divert her attention from you, so 
that she will no longer be fooled by your farce.'’ 

Yerily that is the height of magnanimity,” rejoined 
Thure. “ To encourage the justice’s silly fancy for 
you and in the end accept the offer to become mistress 
of Bratbacken, all for the sake of drawing aunt’s inter- 
est from me. Permit me to doubt this motive. You 


LITTLE KARIN. 


215 


"know that I am attached to another woman ; conse- 
quently you ought to be able to understand, that I can- 
not be guilty of ‘ the ridiculous role ’ you are pleased 
to impute to me.” 

“ Can you not? If that is so, why have you then 
played it for several years, with so much consistency ? 
You love another,” continued Karin with a somewhat 
milder voice : I know it, and have known it for a long 
time, and just for that reason considered your behavior 
contemptible. Why have you not had the courage to 
tell aunt of your fancy. Why have you flattered her 
weakness and made her believe that you were her 
most ardent admirer ? Do you wish me to tell you ? 
You have lent yourself to all this out of unmanly 
cowardice.” Kiirin turned from him. 

“ You are mistaken, Karin,” exclaimed Thure, with 
spirit. I have not acted from cowardice, but from 
gratitude. Aunt Johanna has for several years sup- 
ported my mother, without any one but me suspecting 
that she did so. If my conduct, since my return to 
Ekholmen, has been still more attentive to her, it comes 
from the fact, that my debt of gratitude has been 
increased. My mother sent for me, in order to tell me 
that she had received a large sum of money, as the 
gift of an unknown person. When I examined the 
letter, which accompanied the money, I found it to be 
written by the same hand that had sent the previous 
small remittances, and these came from aunt Johanna.” 

While Thure was speaking, Karin had remained 
motionless as a statue, with her face turned towards 
him ; her lips were flrmly closed and her eyes stared 
at him with a frightened expression. Thure contin- 
ued, without noticing her consternation : 


216 


LITTLE KARIN. 


“ When you supposed that I was talking with aunt 
about — God knows what — I was trying to persuade 
her to acknowledge that she maintained my mother. 
She has not been willing to even admit this, but as 
these gifts have come from a woman friend of the 
same man through whom my father lost all his prop- 
er^", it must be aunt Johanna.” 

Karin drew a deep breath and stroked hacklier hair 
under the leghorn hat. Thure did not look at her, 
but continued : 

“ Under such circumstances the Supreme Being may 
judge, whether I have acted wrong in showing my 
mother’s benefactress, on all possible occasions, the 
attention and affection she seems to place value upon 
and has the full right to demand of me.” 

But Thure, you know that she misconstrues 3^our 
behavior, that she has taken for granted that you 
were warmly interested ; and therefore you have acted 
ill when you did not tell her : ‘ I love”’ — 

Hush, for heaven’s sake, I have not told that to 
anybody,” exclaimed Thure, seizing her arm vio- 
lently. ‘‘ If you had imagined what a tender subject 
you now touch, you would not have alluded to it. To 
her^ who is dear to me, I have said : * I love you ! ’ I have 
repeated it a thousand times, and, since she gave me 
her heart and the promise of her hand, wished to cry 
it aloud to the whole world, but she has forbidden 
me to do so. She has required an absolute silence 
and therefore I have kept still. I now fear that she 
is on the point of breaking her promise to me.” 
Thure ceased, and looked at the river with a gloomy 
expression. 


LITTLE KARIN. 217 

lAarin approaclied, laid her hand on his arm and 
said with a mild voice : 

Why do you doubt? If she has once given you 
her heart, you wiU surely be allowed to keep it. And 
now, Thure, forgive me for judging you unjustly ; but 
from the day I found the letter which informed me 
that you were in love, I have constantly disapproved 
your conduct and considered that you acted ill towards 
our dear aunt and cowardly towards the one you held 
dear.” 

Karin’s two hands rested on Thure’s arm and she 
looked up at him with a beautiful expression. 

“ What tender scene are you performing ?” exclaim- 
ed a voice quite near them, and when Karin turned 
round, Lisbeth stood there with crimson cheeks and 
flashing eyes. 

‘‘We are engaged in consulting about a secret 
which I desire Thure to tell aunt,” answered Karin, 
smiling, and let her hands remain quite calmly up- 
on Thure’s arm. The young man’s eyes looked at 
Lisbeth with a peculiar expression, yet he did not 
change his position at her coming or give any answer. 

“ And what sort of a secret was it ?” asked Lisbeth 
impetuously. 

“ One that concerns two hearts, my dear,” replied 
Karin snappishly, “and which is none of your business. 
You, Lisbeth, have at present something else to think 
about than what Thure and I have between us, and 
therefore you ought not to ask any questions.” 

“You and Thure,” repeated Lisbeth testily, “what 
can you two have between you ?” 

“ A love story, nothing more and nothing less,” 
declared Karin, laughing, but at the same instant she 
10 ' 


218 


LITTLE KARIN. 


glanced at Thiire, for it seemed to her as if his arm 
trembled when she said this. Still his face was calm. 

‘‘Have yon love stories with Thure too?” asked 
Lisbeth. “ One can say that yon are many-sided, to 
attend to three love affairs at once.” She tnrned to go. 

“ That is not very wonderfnl, when I have had yon 
for a model,” jested Karin, as she hastened after her 
sister. She tnrned toThnre, adding; “Well, are yon 
coming with ns ?” 

Lisbeth stopped. 

“ If you are going home, I shall stay,” declared she 
in a tone, commanding as an offended qneen’s. 

“ And why so ?” asked Karin, still in sport. “ It 
cannot wonnd yon, if Thnre and I have it a little 
warm between ns. Yon have at any rate wasted your 
ammunition in vain upon him. To be sure it may be 
a trifle bitter for yon to think that I have conquered 
where yon failed ; but mercy sakes, it ought to rejoice 
yon, that your sister has vanquished the invincible 
Thure.” Karin laughed. Her natural inclination for 
raillery had gained the mastery with her, and she did 
not think it any harm to poke fun at her sister who, 
notwithstanding her assertion that she did not care 
for Thure, was now vexed at finding him and her 
sister together. 

Thure, however, had remained still, leaning against 
a tree, with his gaze fastened on Lisbeth. 

“ Karin !” exclaimed Lisbeth, looking at her sister, 
“ what is your design in persecuting and mocking me ? 
I care neither for you or Thure ; I only wish to be 
delivered from your company.” 

Lisbeth went ; Karin looked at Thure to see whether 
he was disposed to follow them ; but at the sight of his 


LITTLE KAKIN. 


219 


face she became motionless, staring at him quite dis- 
mayed. His features expressed grief and anger. There 
was a whole confession in the glance with which he 
followed Lisbeth. 

Thure !” exclaimed Karin. 

He started as if he had been stung, looked at Karin, 
and muttered : 

‘‘ This must have an end.” 

“ What does all this mean ?” asked Karin. 

It means that she goes there, the one to whom the 
written lines that you picked up were directed,” an- 
swered Thure, throwing himself down on the seat and 
passing his hand over his brow. 

“ Were they to her^ and not to the pastor’s daughter 
Elvira?” cried Karin, as she became first white and 
then fiery red in her cheeks. “Impossible, Thure, 
she would then have loved you for the last two 
years.” 

“ She said so then, she said so still, only a few weeks 
ago.” Thure reached out his hand and drew Karin 
down on the seat, adding : “ Sit here and let me talk 

to you. Ever since the day when Fetter carried you 
home, I have desired to tell you the reason why Lis- 
beth gave Elias the mitten. She has been my betroth- 
ed for the last two years, although we have not men- 
tioned it to any one. She must now remain faithful 
to her vow, for more than her happiness and mine 
depends upon it, that of Elias. It is true I have of 
late suffered much from her indifference, but she must 
remain mine, if plighted troth counts anything before 
God and humanity, and yet I am troubled about the 
future.” 

Again Thure passed his hand over his brow. Karin 


220 


LITTLE KARIN. 


had clasped her hands and pressed them to her breast. 
Was it actually her beloved sister, who could act so 
faithlessly? Was it her dear Lisbeth, who wished to 
marry Elias notwithstanding she was bound to Thure ? 
Karin’s head sank down towards her breast, and she 
asked in an unsteady voice ; 

“ What do you fear?” 

That Lisbeth now imagines she loves Elias.” 

Karin bent her head down still lower. Thure con- 
tinued : 

“ If she entertains this fancy, she will in a year be- 
tray him, as she has betrayed me.” Thure rose hastily, 
adding : “ Elias no longer loves her ; he loves another 
with his whole soul. The whim which makes Lisbeth 
presume that she is in love wdth him can be denom- 
inated wounded vanity, and will disappear as soon as 
she gets him at her feet. Karin,” continued he, 
taking one of her hands, “you have our future in 
your hands, do not play with it, but make it impossi- 
ble for Lisbeth to bring us all into misery.” 

Karin remained silent. 

“ Do you wish to have proof that Lisbeth loves me, 
that her faith is bound to me ?” asked Thure. 

“ Yes, I do,” answered Karin. 

At this moment the boat landed at the dock, and 
Thure had only time to promise tl«it she should have 
this proof, when some young ladies jumped ashore 
and came directly to Karin. They were from the 
parsonage and intended to make a call on the Heldener 
girls. 

Karin and Thure accompanied the meny creatures 
up to the house, and tried their best to look lively and 
cheerful themselves. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

^ISBETH still lay in a deep slumber, when 
Karin, full dressed, left her room and quietly 
stole down stairs and into the dining-room. 

Thure stood by one of the windows awaiting her 
arrival. 

‘‘ I have waited a whole quarter of an hour,” said 
he. “ Here is tlie proof that Lisbeth does not have 
the right to give her hand to any one else.” 

Karin took the letter Thure handed her in silence. 
With her back turned to the room, she read it through. 
Thure took some turns across the floor. 

The longer Karin read, the warmer her cheeks 
became. The letter spoke a language entirely strange 
to her, full of ardor and enthusiasm. Eittle Karin 
had not the faintest idea that a girl could write so to 
a young man. Yow's of love and fidelity, jealousy 
and inquietude, smiling dreams of the future and 
melancholy laments over the present, constituted its 
contents. 

Lisbeth wrote that her whole heart was bound to 
Thure ; that he was her pride, happiness and joy in 
life. Still she exhorted him to prudence ; no one ought 
to suspect their connection until they could marry, 
221 


222 


LITTLE KARIN* 


and she urged him to disarm aunt Johanna’s suspic- 
ions through attention and politeness. 

It was thus Lisbeth, who from the beginning had 
induced him to pay Johanna his homage. 

When Karin finished the perusal of the letter, she 
stood a long time with her head leaning against the 
window-pane. 

Finally Thure asked : 

Have you read it all ? ” 

She returned him the letter. 

‘‘Lisbeth must keep her promise,” said Karin, 
looking up. “ She wull do it too, but first you must 
tell aunt Johanna that you and Lisbeth are secretly 
betrothed, then I will try to serve you and your love 
to the best of my ability. How go, I do not wisli 
Martha to find you here with me.” 

“ I will speak with your aunt,” replied Thure and 
left the room, while he held the following soliloquy : 

“ Elias loves Karin and he must become happy ; 
Lisbeth shall not sacrifice his happiness to her 
wounded vanity; she shall be forced to keep her 
promise even if she and I should suffer.” 

Thure entered his room and found Elias there. 

“ Are you up already ? ” exclaimed Thure. 

“ That is no stranger than for you to be yourself,” 
answered Elias in a rather unfriendly tone. What 
have you and Karin between you? Yesterday you 
met at the ferry, to-day in the dining-room. Did I 
not tell you, during Karin’s illness, how dear she was 
to me, and yet ” — 

‘‘ I talk to her,” interrupted Thure, looking Elias in 
Hie face. “ Are you jealous ? ” 

The two young men regarded each other a second, 


LITTLE KARIN. 


223 


tlien Elias extended lus hand, saying with an almost 
sorrowful voice : 

I fear that it is so. Karin is an enigma, yet J love 
lier more deeply than I ever loved Lisbeth. I know 
that the solution of the enigma must be satisfactory ; 
but still her little secrets and her constant activity 
torment me. I ask what it is that she is so anxious to 
conceal? This morning, when I saw her at the 
window, reading the letter you gave her, it came to 
me that she loved you and that this was the secret she 
wished to preserve, and the reason why she so per- 
sistently saved all her money was to gather up a 
little amount. Finally I thought that her attachment 
for you made the union with me so repugnant. I 
have been thinking of it the whole night, ever since 
I learned through Lisbeth, that 3mu and Karin had 
met at the ferry. The more I reflected upon it the 
more probable did my supposition seem to me. 
Answer me honestly therefore, have I guessed right ? ’’ 

“You are entirely mistaken,” replied Thure, “If 
Karin should ever love any one, it will be you ; as 
yet her emotional mind is free from any warm interest ; 
I believe I can testify to this.” 

“ Why did you meet yesterday ? ” inquired Elias. 

“ It was a play of chance. I then told Karin some- 
thing in confidence, which I had long desired to tell 
her, and it concerns me alone.” 

“ You had appointed a meeting this morning in the 
dining room.” 

“ I wished to show Karin a letter, which ought to 
affect her and your fate.” 

“ F rom whom was the letter ?” 

^‘It was to me and treated of me. You must not 


224 


LITTLE KARIN. 


know any more. Go, seek Karin, and believe me, if 
she and I conspire, it is for, but not against, your wel- 
fare.” 

“ It is a pity that Karin has got it in her head, that 
what would be my misfortune, ought to be my happi- 
ness. Ah, I would willingly give a year of my life, 
if I could very soon Celebrate my wedding with little 
Karin, but I have an idea that it will not take place 
right away.” 

Elias went out of the room lass cheerful than he 
was accustomed to be. The little enigma, Karin, had 
placed him in great perplexity. 

Dinner was over. It passed rather different from 
usual. Lisbeth had been in better spirits and more 
amiable than for a long time. She shared her smiles 
and beaming glances between the three young gentle- 
men. She seemed firmly resolved to captivate them 
all and not leave Karin any opportunity to entertain 
or interest them. Karin on the other hand was silent, 
and as Johanna made common cause with Lisbeth to 
be agreeable and attractive, the result was that the 
greatest animation prevailed in spite of her abstrac- 
tion. 

After the meal Johanna went up to her room. Her 
heart beat very violently, for Thure had recpiested her 
in a low tone to allow him to speak with her in pri- 
vate after dinner. 

Thure had looked excited. Johanna did not doubt 
for a single instant what it was he desired to say to 
her. So the moment had at length come when Thure 
would let her know how warm and strong his affection 
was. Johanna forgot Bratbacken, her jealousy of 
Karin and the hitters scheme to become Fru Enke- 


LITTLE KARIN. 


225 


man. She was only engaged in painting in fancy the 
approaching meeting, Thure’s declaration, and the 
refusal, full of friendship and good will, she would 
give him. It was a real delight to Johanna to med- 
itate upon the speech she was going to make. How 
she would prove to him that her affection and desire 
to secure his happiness, dictated her prayer that he 
would forget the love he had acknowledged. 

She had just arrived at this sublime culmination, 
when the door opened and Thu re came in. 

AVitli beaming eyes and a charming smile Johanna 
took her place on the sofa and beckoned to Thure to 
seat himself beside her. 

How often during the last two years had not Thure 
been allowed to sit so and talk to Johanna about his 
mother, his future and his friendship ; but then he 
liad had an unconstrained demeanor, now on the con- 
trary he looked confused and embarrassed. 

Many times before had Johanna expected that his 
feelings would betray themselves ; but never had she 
so plainly seen that the moment was at hand. If she 
had only been sure that her ex-suitor would come back 
and offer her his hand, she w’ould have had nothing 
further to desire on this earth. We must confess, 
however, that the sad thought passed through her 
soul, that Karin had placed herself between her and 
the happiness, of which, for the last few weeks she had 
so eagerly desired to come in possession, suddenly 
embittering the present moment. But to return to 
Thure. 

He ran his hand through his hair, regarded the toes 
of his boots attentively, coughed, and finally said : 

‘‘ For a long time I have desired to tell you some 
10 * 


226 


LITTLE KARIN. 


thing, aunt, that has weighed on my heart, but I have 
always feared that — that^’—Thure again coughed, again 
let his hand take a promenade through his hair. 

“What can you fear from me ?” uttered Johanna in 
the gentlest of tones. “ Have I not on all occasions 
shown myself to be your friend 

“ Ah yes, you certainly have, and therefore I am 
now afraid of appearing ungrateful, when I open my 
heart and'’ — he seized Johanna’s hand, raised it to his 
lips, and faltered with emotion : “ It would grieve me 
deeply, if you did not judge my weakness "with kind- 
ness and indulgence. I have said to myself a thou- 
sand times, during these last two years, that I had no 
right to cherish the feelings which filled my breast ; 
but stronger than reason and the consciousness of my 
poverty has been passion, and now — now can no 
longer conceal that I have with all my soul and for a 
long time back loved” — 

Thure had no chance to complete his sentence. The 
door opened quickly and the judge entered — some- 
thing that was very unusual, as he was in the habit of 
taking his siesta at this time of day. At the sight of 
him, Thure rose from the sofa but looked extremely 
disconcerted. Jolianna became crimson. 

Ah indeed, the vice- judge is engaged in adjusting 
his reports,’’ said Wikstrand in a rather sharp tone, 
“ and yon, dear sister, are cursedly w^arni, I perceive. 
Were it not for 3mur forty-five years, Johanna, I would 
conclude that something was going on ; as it is, your 
age ])rotects yo\i. Now, Thure, you come with me, 
If you please,” added he, and the next instant Johanna 
found herself alone. 

She smiled proudly and looked at the closed door. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


227 


My forty-five years do not hinder a woman of my 
appearance from winning hearts,” murmured she, ris- 
ing hastily ; but have I done right, in allowing him 
to become attached to me ? I cannot render him love, 
only friendship and sincere sympathy.” 

The coffee tray was just then brought in by Martha 
herself ; a sign that she had something extra to pro- 
claim. 

‘‘ I have taken two more cups,” said Martha : the 
justice is down stairs with ‘the little one.’ I suppose 
you will ask him up, Frbken ?” 

Johanna was standing before the mirror, but turned 
abruptly, exclaiming: 

“ Is Enkeman with Karin ?” 

“ Yes, in the cabinet, where they have locked them- 
selves in. The ‘ little one ’ is a jewel of a girl, and 
yet ‘ the old man ’ prefers her to Lisbeth ! This morn- 
ing she had a meeting with Thure, and now in the 
afternoon with the justice.” 

“ Go immediately and say that the coffee is waiting,” 
ordered Johanna, completely losing her balance, 

Karin locked up in the cabinet with Enkeman, Ka- 
rin in company with Thure !— that girl gave her noth- 
ing but annoyance. 

Shortly after Martha had gone, Lisbeth, Elias and 
Constantin entered the little parlor, but Karin and the 
justice delayed coming; this so irritated Johanna that 
she said with a vain effort to assume a playful tone : 

“ I suppose I shall be forced to disturb Karin and 
Enkeman in their love confab, otherwise the coffee 
will get cold.” 

Elias checked her. 

“ Wait, I hear the loving pair coming up stairs. 


228 


LITTLE KARIN. 


His step is very heavy and not so dreadfully swift 
either ; but the fifty-five years do what they can.” 

“ What do these signify % He will at any rate get a 
young and swift-footed wife,” rejoined J ohanna, tartly, 
and sat down again on the sofa. 

“ Your humble servant, dear Johanna,” greeted the 
justice, and was going to raise his former fiame’s hand 
to his lips, but with a majestic motion Johanna 
averted it. 

“ I did not think you would give me the honor, 
Herr Enkeman,” said she, coldly. ‘‘ Be so good as to 
take a cup of coffee.” 

They drank their coffee. Karin was silent, Elias jo- 
vial ; Lisbeth gave dangerous glances to the young men. 

The justice soon took leave. He had come especially 
to talk to brother Wikstrand, but as the latter and 
Thure were going out he had refrained from hindering 
them. 

‘‘ Good-by, Karin,” said he in a very friendly tone, 
as he clasped the little hand in his, “ we will meet to- 
morrow ; but then everything must be clear.” 

“ I promise it,” answered Karin, smiling. 

“What is it that shall be clear between you?” 
screamed Lisbeth and Johanna when they were alone 
with Karin. Constantin and Elias had followed the 
justice, 

“ That which will be settled to-morrow,” answered 
Karin, and dropping a courtesy to her sister and aunt, 
she ran out of the room. 

“ So she is going to be mistress of Bratbacken !” 
sighed Johanna, involuntarily. 

“ And get an old man for her husband. A scarcely 
enviable fate,” declared Lisbeth. 


CHAPTER XXIY. 



’ HURE ! I must see you again this evening. 
Take a walk in the garden, after we have bid- 
den each other good-night ; but let no one 
suspect that we are to meet ; this is the request of 

Karin.” 

Lisbeth read and re-read this scrap, which she had 
picked up on the stairs, as she was going down from 
Johanna’s room. 

‘‘ What does this signify ?” murmured she. “ Does 
Karin appoint meetings with Thure ? Can there be 
any secret understanding between them ? His cold 
and reserved manner, w^hich I have considered to be 
the result of my changed behavior, would this pro- 
ceed from — . Impossible, he has loved me so faith- 
fully and steadfastly ! Besides Karin is more ugly 
than handsome.” Lisbeth again glanced through the 
note. 

“ She^ always she ! It is unbearable ! Yet when 
I think of the matter, it is certainly no more impossi- 
ble for Thure to change his attachment than for Elias,” 
added she, as she folded the note. She fell into thought 
and so came to the conviction that Thure would be 
the meanest and most faithless being on earth, if he 
229 


230 


LITTLE KARIN. 


could forget his love for her ; but, if it so should be, it 
would be a blessing to her, for then she would be quit 
of him without his being able to complain of her. 
That she had already long desired to break her engage- 
ment to him Lisbeth did not consider mean, but that 
Thure should do it was despicable. She determined 
to surprise Thure and Karin. 

“ Ah ’’ thought Lisbeth, “ why did not Karin remain 
the frolicsome and inoffensive creature she was before, 
with interest only for her flowers, birds, dog and mis- 
chievous pranks ; she caused no trouble then.” 

Supper was over. Johanna had several times tried 
to approach Thure in order to give him an opportunity 
to request another conversation, but Karin was always 
at his side, and at last Johanna began to fear that 
Karin purposely placed herself in her way. 

After the meal the family separated considerably 
earlier than usual. It was also a particularly dark and 
cloudy evening. 

The east wind swept whiningly past the windows, 
shook the tree-tops and bent the stalks of the flowers ; 
then went blustering through the wood and park and 
drove heavy clouds across the Armament. The heat 
that formerly prevailed had fled and the air felt cold 
and raw, so that the customary after supper prome- 
nade was deferred, and they all went to their sleeping 
apartments to seek rest or indulge in reflections. 

A half hour after they dispersed a door opened 
and Thure left his room, and, to all appearance quite 
indiflerent, went down in the garden. Almost simul- 
taneously Lisbeth stole down stairs, wrapped in a 
large shawl, and took her way through the dining, 
room to the terrace. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


231 


Karin had not accompanied her sister up stairs, but 
alleged that she had something to say to her uncle 
and followed him into his room. Johanna on the 
other hand had betaken herself to the kitchen, to 
watch Tlmre from the store-closet window and see if 
he went out to smoke his cigar. In that case she also 
intended to take a promenade and thus give the poor 
boy a chance to finish his confession. 

Ever since the coffee-drinking Johanna had ponder- 
ed upon her position, and had come to the conclusion 
that she ought to recompense his faithful and silent 
love wnth a disinterested affection. She would make 
it her life aim to work for his happiness. If it should 
be so imfortunate that his happiness could not be 
secured in any other way than by her changing her 
resolution never to marry a man youngei* than her- 
self, she would have to sacrifice it, now that Enkema?! 
was lost to her. 

Just at this moment Johanna saw Thure step out 
of the house with a freshly lighted cigar, and go down 
in the garden. 

. She waited a few minutes before she left the store- 
closet. Then she tied a white handkerchief over her 
head, wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and 
directed her course through the back yard, so that she 
could come in the garden from the lower part of it 
and meet the young man accidentally. 

Thure had traversed the thickly shaded paths to the 
large arbor, where he hoped to find Karin. There 
one was shielded from curious eyes, wind, and rain it 
it should pour down during their conversation. 

Complete obscurity prevailed in the arbor, but not- 
withstanding this Thure discovered a woman’s foim. 


232 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Have you waited long, dear Karin V’ asked he. 

“ I have not waited at all,” answered a voice tremb- 
ling with anger, “ I came just now, to ask you, Thure, 
why you appoint meetings with my sister, and entice 
her too on wrong roads ?” 

Her too ?” repeated Thure, coldly. “ Whom have 
I enticed before 

‘‘ Me,” screamed Lisbeth, with unrestrained rage. 

We refrain from repeating the flood of accusations 
and reproaches with which she overwhelmed Thure. 
She was strong when it was to accuse others, but 
utterly incapable of accusing herself. With wonder- 
ful composure Thure listened to the incensed girl, 
without interrupting her. When she finished, he said 
calmly : 

“ Who was it that employed all possible means to 
overcome the other’s indifibrence ? Who was it that 
forced the other to a declaration, and who then, exul- 
tant over her victory, gave the holiest promises of 
eternal love and eternal fidelity ? Lisbeth, answer this, 
or do you wish me to read the letter you wrote under 
the intoxication of your conquest over the cold and 
stubborn Thure ? Beware ! the desire to make my 
claims telling can easily awake, and then I will exclaim 
aloud : “ This girl, who is striving to regain Elias’ 

heart, who now wishes to marry him, is my betrothed 
and shall never belong to any one else.” 

‘‘You threaten, you who are here to meet Karin,” 
rejoined Lisbeth. 

“ I threaten because you have forgotten the fidelity 
you promised me,” said Thure, “ and what is worse, 
you are working to recover Elias’ rejected love. You 
have betrayed me and you have sunk so deeply in my 


LITTLE KAKIN. 


233 


esteem tliat it requires my extreme feeling for you to 
keep me from letting all know wliat a faithless wo- 
man you are. As it is 1 remain silent. The memory 
of our love holds me back. Still I shall never permit 
you to place yourself between Karin and Elias, or to 
try, out of caprice, to bind the latter to you and doom 
the former to renunciation. Ko, Lisbeth, you are 
bound to me and you shall never become another man's 
wife. It is possible that I may not have courage to 
marry you ; but it is very certain that the woman I 
have loved and been loved by, shall never be any one 
else’s. Out of love for you I have been a hypocrite, 
lied, dissembled, and played a cowardly and pitiful 
role before Johanna. Your power is now broken'; I 
shall now act as honor and duty command. To-mor- 
row your aunt and uncle shall know of our connection. 
I have already told it to Karin. If you really love 
Elias, I pity you ; you shall anyway not become his 
wife. If I have for two years been your obedient and 
patient slave, who has loved you madly, I am now 
your master.” 

Thure ceased. A sob was heard from the bench 
where Lisbeth sat. Thure took a step forward, but 
was checked by a hasty motion behind the hedge. 
Some one was there, some one had listened. 

With one spring Thure was at the side of the arbor, 
and 2 :)arted the branches, shaken by the blast. A 
dark shape stood by the hedge. The dim light hin- 
dered him from seeing who it was. That it was a 
woman he perceived immediately, and the next in- 
stant the white handkerchief apprised him that it was 
Johanna. He let the branches quietly fall back and 
v/ent to Lisbeth, saying : 


234 


LITTLE KARIN. 


“ Stay here no longer. Go to rest and to-morrow 
try to identify yourself with your duty. It now 
concerns Elias’ happiness, and this must not be de- 
stroyed.” 

“ Thure,” faltered Lisbeth, “ only promise me one 
thing, not to say anything about what has been to 
aunt and uncle.” 

“ I can not do that ; aunt knows it already. There 
must be an end to this false play.” 

Lisbeth rose and murmured, weeping : 

“You have acted unworthy towards me. I shall 
never forgive you.” 

She went, -without his detaining her, and Johanna 
stole away quite silently. She walked back with 
heavy steps, and thought : 

“What scandalous falseness ! Such a miserable 
end to my beautiful dreams. I am really bom to be 
a victim to Elise and her descendants.” 

That evening Johanna wept. She was very un- 
happy, very much wrought up. Karin had taken 
from her the faithful Enkeman ; Lisbeth had pos- 
sessed Thure’s heart during all the time she had 
regarded herself as the object of his worship. One 
must admit that this was bitter. 


CHAPTER XXy. 



ERRIXG and potatoes were enthroned on 
tlie breakfast table, in spite of Martha’s pro- 
testations. Johanna herself appeared in a 
simple black dress, smoothly combed hair, and without 
any ribbons or rosettes for ornament. Her bearing 
was erect, her face pale, and her eyes glittering as pol- 
ished steel. A bad sign. 

She did not look at the side where Thure sat, re- 
sponded neither to his or Lisbeth’s greeting, and main- 
tained such a stubborn silence that the judge finally 
asked whether his dear sister was sick, to which he 
received a negative answer. 

Lisbeth had a dejected appearance. Karin was ex- 
ceedingly thoughtful. Thure on tlie contrary seemed 
more unconstrained and talkative than usual. He 
was like a person who had long worn a straight-jacket, 
but suddenly obtained a suit that fitted him. 

The inspector swallowed one potato after the other, 
sighed, and look«ed at Lisbeth, something which led 
Karin to smile and exchange a glance with Elias. 

As soon as they rose from the table, Johanna left 
the room and went proudly by Thure. She scarcely 
had time however, to seat herself at her work, when 
235 


236 


LITTLE KARIN. 


the door of her parlor opened and a frizzly head 
peeped in. 

“ May I come in, dear annt asked Karin. 

A majestic inclination of the head indicated that 
Johanna gave her consent. 

In an instant Karin was at the window, and seated 
opposite Johanna, with the work-table between them. 

Dear, darling aunt, I have something on my mind 
which I wish to tell you, so as to get your advice. 
Something has happened to me.’’ Karin held up and 
looked smilingly at Johanna, who, without raising her 
eyes or saying a word, continued to sew. 

“ Do you wish to hear me, aunt ?” inquired Karin, 
when she had waited in vain for a reply. 

Johanna again bowed her head. She could not free 
herself from a certain curiosity. 

“ It is so, that — that — a certain person has proposed 
to me ; regularly, formally proposed and required a 
definite answer.” 

Johanna now looked up. Her face became fiery 
red and her eyes shone, as she, in a sharp tone, uttered 
the word : 

“ Enkeman !” 

“Precisely, dear aunt. What shall I answer him ?” 

“ I suppose you have already taken your resolution,” 
replied Johanna wfith asperity. “ The man is rich, 
and you, who place such a high value on money, cer- 
tainly ought not to deliberate.” 

‘ Money is well enough to have, but ” — 

“You hesitate to sell yourself? Ah, that at least 
is gratifying.” Johanna’s voice had become milder 
and she thought : “ It would be no more than right 


LITTLE KARIN. 237 

/ 

for Enkeman, if he got the mitten, when he has be- 
haved in such a faithless manner towards me.” 

Johanna did not consider that she had twice given 
him a refusal. 

I am not undecided because I have any objection 
to his age,” replied Karin, “ but because I am afraid 
that he will not be nice and good, as you did not wish 
to have him. He has positively some terrible, abom- 
inable faults. Is he a bad man ?” 

Karin looked very cunning when she asked this 
question. 

Enkeman a bad man, with abominable faults !” 
exclaimed J ohanna, laying down her work. “ He who 
is honor and integrity itself. Are you crazy, girl ? 
So much can I tell you, that it would be well if both 
you and I were as good persons as he is.” 

‘‘Well, but why did you give him the mitten ?” 

“ Because I did not love him, because I had once 
taken the resolution not to many.” 

“You were entirely too hard on poor Herr Enke- 
man, and he has told me that he would never be able 
to hold any one as dear as you.” 

“ And yet he proposes to you and not to me. Silly 
talk!” 

“ He hopes that I will give him a ^ yes,’ while, on 
the contrary, lie is sure of a ‘ no ’* from you, aunt. 
Bratbacken is desolate without a mistress j he himself 
longs for a companion at his side, and ” — 

“ So he chooses a girl of eighteen.” 

“ What shall he do ? The girl is more yielding than 
yciq and will perhaps give what you have refused.” 

“ In that case I do not know why you plague me 
with this whole stupid story. You have undoubtedly 


LITTLE KARIN. 


m 

made up your miud already, and that notwithstanding 
they have told me that Magnus had decided that Elias 
and you should become a pair. It seems to me that 
like children play best.” 

“ It is out of the question for me to marry Elias, as 
Xisbeth is bound to have him.” 

‘‘ Lisbeth,” screamed Johanna, and made such a vio- 
lent motion that the work table was on the point of 
tipping over. “ Lisbetli will never be Elias’ wife as 
long as I live ; she has other obligations, and she is 
not likely to get free from them. And I for my part 
think that Elias ought to be allowed to follow his 
inclination, and this no longer draws him to Lisbeth.” 

“ To whom does it draw him ?” asked Karin in a 
whisper, and with glowing cheeks. 

That does not belong here,” replied Johanna, 
impatiently; ‘‘the question now concerns you and Enke- 
man. Answer me, have you courage to accept him ?” 

“ If you advise me to do it.” 

Karin looked at Johanna, and could not repress a 
smile when she saw how her aunt changed color. A 
brief struggle took place in the heart of the maiden 
of forty-five, which ended, however, as all such strug- 
gles in her heart were accustomed to end, in her better 
feelings gaining the victory. Her answer was in 
accordance therewith. 

“ If your heart is free and you do not feel drawn to 
Elias, as I have believed, then — well yes, then you 
can — marry Enkeman ; for a more honorable and nicer 
man you will have hard work to find, although the 
great difference in age makes a marriage between you 
risky ; but ” — 

Johanna had difficulty to utter these words, which 


LITTLE KARIN. 


239 


her conscientiousness dictated. Karin did not allow 
her to finish her sentence, but threw herself on her 
neck. 

“ Dear, sweet aunt, it is not to me that Herr Enke- 
inan proposed.” 

J ohanna pushed her away and exclaimed : 

‘‘To whom then ?” 

“ Heed you ask that ? He has commissioned me to 
ascertain whether he should for the third time dare to 
ofier his lovely Johanna his hand, heart, and Bratbacken. 
He does not wish to expose himself to a third repulse, 
therefore I have promised to examine the fortress and 
let him know whether it is ready to capitulate. Aunt, 
you cannot reject so faithful a friend, so genuine and 
constant a love. I see in your face, dear aunt, that I 
may tell Herr Enkeman that you will accept him — 
that you will hear his prayer.” 

Karin twined her arms around Johanna’s neck and 
kissed her, while her surprised aunt was unable to say 
anything but : 

“ Child, let go of me. I need to be alone.” 

“ I shall go, but you will not be alone long.” 

Karin flew out of the door, without listening to Jo- 
hanna’s call, that she should wait. 

A few minutes afterwards Enkeman sat by Johan- 
na’s side on the little parlor sofa, and that which was 
then said may remain between them. 


CHAPTER XXYI. 



kIKE a bird set free from tlie cage Karin flew 
up and down the garden, shaking her curly 
head with delight and so heartily glad, that 
she was obliged to give vent to her feelings through 
this violent exercise. When she and Fido had got 
fired, she threw herself down on the grass, took the 
little dog in her arms and exclaimed : 

“How happy I am! Well, Fido, are you equally 
pleased? You are, I see it in your eyes and your 
wagging tail.” 

She kissed the dog and again ran through the gar- 
den, with him at her heels, and finally up to her room, 
where she locked herself in. 

There in solitude the glad child knelt before her 
mother’s portrait, and breathed a grateful prayer to 
God for the success she had reaped in her efforts for 
aunt J ohanna’s happiness. 

“ One of your beloved husband’s faults is now ex- 
piated,” whispered Karin, with her gaze on her 
mother’s image. “ The other cannot be expiated ; 
but I shall never cease to try to atone for as much as 
can be atoned for. Beloved mother look down with 
love upon yoiir child.” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


241 


A knock at the door, and the maid’s voice, which 
apprised her that she was wanted down stairs, inter- 
rupted her. 

In the large sitting-room she found Johanna, Enke- 
man and the judge. The last named came toward her 
with his finger raised in a threatening manner. 

“ I declare, this is a pretty story of an eighteen-year- 
old girl, to play match-maker,” said he, smiling. 
‘‘What have you gained for your trouble?” 

“ I will not speak of that,” answered Karin, with 
her merriest smile. “ My reward is so great, that if 
you knew it, dear uncle, you would be amazed.” 

“ I don’t believe a word of it,” declared the judge, 
pinching Karin’s cheek. “You have at all events 
managed cursedly well, for now I need no longer be 
af]‘aid for my pantaloons, and I can tell you this much, 
that next to the joy of seeing you and Elias married^ 
the greatest delight that could be afibrded me, was to 
have my good sister married to a man who will make 
her happy.” 

“ Oh well, it was certainly my duty to aid you to 
this joyful surprise, uncle, as I do not by any means 
wish to have the blessed Elias.” 

Karin laughed, and went to embrace Johanna, who 
looked contented and kissed little Karin with sincere 
friendliness, assuring her that she was only tormented 
by one thing, and that was the self-reproach at not 
having judged her rightly. 

The jndge ordered champagne, all the members of 
tlie family were sent for, and the health was drank of 
justice Enkeman and his betrothed. 

Johanna felt quite proud. She cast a glance at 
Thure, that seemed to say : “ if you have imagined 
11 


242 


LITTLE KARIN. 


that I entertained any lively interest for you, you now 
see that it has been a mistake.” 

Yes, it had indeed been a mistake, Johanna felt it, 
when she that evening retired. She had not for many, 
many years been so calm in her mind. She was tran- 
quil and contented; she no longer stood alone, she 
knew that she had a faithful affection to build upon for 
the remainder of her life. 

The next day Johanna, Karin and Enkeman rode to 
the city to order the betrothal ring and make various 
purchases. The wedding was to take place in six 
weeks. 

Thure, the judge and Constantin went to attend 
court and were not to come home for two or three 
days. 

At the first dinner, only the inspector and Lisbeth 
were at the table. 

The latter was more ungracious than she had ever 
been before. The conversation with Thure, the eve- 
ning she had gone to surprise him with Karin, had so 
depressed her that she could not possibly become rec- 
onciled with the fate Thure prescribed for her. She 
did not love Thure, she was well aware of it, and had 
been for a long time. To have surprised him and 
Karin, would have been to break and take back the 
promises Lisbeth had given ; but now, now Thure had 
told her that she never should become any other man’s 
wife ; that Elias and Karin must become a pair ; there- 
fore she was angry and out of tune. 

If her attachment to Elias had only been a caprice 
before, it became after Thure’s declaration a passion- 
ate longing, a burning desire, and it appeared to her, 
as she sat there at the dinner table absorbed in her- 


LITTLE KARIN. 


243 


thoiiglits, as if Elias must become her husband, cost 
wliat it would. 

From these speculations she was roused by the 
inspector, who had silently swallowed his food while 
he contemplated Lisbeth, but when the last course was 
served and Lovisa went out, the inspector broke the 
silence wuth these words : 

I have had a letter from my father to-day.” 

Lisbeth looked up and regarded the poor fellow 
with an expression that seemed to say : “ what is that 
to me ?” 

“ My father desires that I shall leave my present 
place and come home in order to take charge of his 
estate.” 

“ Ah, indeed,” said Lisbeth, in the most uninterested 
tone. 

My father’s estate is very large and I am his only 
child,” continued the inspector. 

‘‘ That is very gratifying to you, Herr Lindroth,” 
answered Lisbeth, indifferently. 

Without letting this discompose him, the inspector 
resumed : 

“ 1 have never needed to do anything for a living; 
but my father was determined on it — ^lie considered it 
useful, because” — 

“ Why do you tell me this, Herr Lindroth asked 
Lisbeth, interrupting him and rising from the table. 
The poor inspector followed her example. 

Lisbeth approached the glass doors to the garden. 
For an instant the inspector remained standing irreso- 
lute and looked after her. His good-natured simple 
face was agitated, but when Lisbeth stepped out in 
the open air the young man seemed to have taken 


244 


LITTLE KARIN. 


his decision, and with a few quick, long strides across 
the floor stood at her side. 

She looked at him quite surprised, and as if ready 
to exclaim : 

‘‘ Are you there yet 

“ Fruken Lisbeth, I must talk wdth you,” said the 
inspector. 

“About your father’s estate, your removal from 
Ekholmen and the like,” rejoined Lisbeth ; “ but those 
are things that concern uncle, not me. Do you wish 
me to prepare him for the loss he will sustain ?” 

Her tone was ironical, but this entirely escaped the 
perturbed agriculturalist, who in his simplicity never 
perceived any malice in a person’s voice, for he always 
took the words literally. 

“ It is not necessary, the judge already knows that 
I am going to leave my place in the fall, or as soon as 
he gets another inspector. He has also given me 
permission to speak to you, Froken, and therefore I 
desired to inform you of my pecuniary position.” 

“Was it to descant upon this that you requested 
permission to speak to me ?” said Lisbeth, who began 
to fear that Herr Lindroth’s mind had become slight- 
ly affected. 

“ Hot precisely ; but I could not give utterance to 
what I have on my heart before I had let you know 
that I was a well-to-do man. How that the judge 
had no objections to make me, but declared that it 
would all depend upon you, I hope, in consequence of 
the good-will you have shown me, that you will re- 
spond with a “ yes ” to my question, whether you will 
be my wife.” 

“Your wife!” screamed Lisbeth, crimson within- 


LITTLE KARIN. 


245 


dignation; ^^what in lieaven’s name entitles you to 
such an impudent question added she, haughtily. 

“The judge’s consent and your own behavior 
towards me. You have already for a long time known 
that I loved you ; you have with friendliness received 
the proofs I have given of my worship, and thus I 
cannot think but that you have encouraged my love. 
The natural result was for me to ofier you my hand.” 

Lisbeth stood an instant as if struck by lightning. 
Her eyes rested upon the young man, arrayed in his 
new homespun summer clothes, whom she regarded 
as so subordinate a person that he never Avould dare 
to do anything but admire her in silence. Ilow was 
it possible that this man, the son of a rich farmer, 
without other education than that which he had en- 
joyed at an agricultural institute, without knowledge 
of society and devoid of all outward advantages, could 
even imagine that slie^ Lisbeth, would be willing to 
marry him? And uncle Magnus, who had allowed 
him to propose ! For an instant Lisbeth came near 
bursting into tears, so deeply wounded did she feel ; 
but to weep before this person, in her eyes so inferior, 
would have been to show that he had succeeded in 
otfending her, and this would have increased the hu- 
miliation. With a violent effort she controlled her 
emotion, gave the inspector a proud glance, and said : 

“ That you loved me, I could not suppose, still less 
that you hoped to have your love returned, and that 
you supposed that I could wish to become your wife 
appears to me still more presumptuous. You, Herr 
Lindroth, are not the man with whose fate I will ever 
unite mine. Have you understood me ?” 

“ I believe I have done so, although I cannot see 


24:G LITTLE KARIN. 

why you giv^e me a refusal,” stammered the inspector. 

‘‘Because I can’t hear you. Have I now spoken 
plainly ?” 

The poor fellow became ashy gray in his face, turned 
^ away from her, and muttered : 

“You are a bad and wicked girl; may God punish 
you for the harm you have done me.” 

lie walked off and Lisbeth hastened in the opposite 
direction. The words the rejected wooer had uttered 
resounded almost threateningly within her. For the 
first time in her life, the thought came to her, that she 
might possibly have to do penance in the future for 
the wounds slie had occasioned others. Yes, she could 
not deny, in this moment of humiliation, that she had 
very often acted heartlessly towards the young men 
who came in lier way and allow^ed themselves to be 
infatuated by her beauty. 

Her pleasure had been in playing wdth the poor in- 
experienced inspector, so that his admiration was 
changed to a foolish attachment, but she did not sup- 
pose that he would cherish the faintest hope. Still 
a heart had beat under the gray coat ; this heart had 
in its despair cried for revenge, and this cry for re- 
venge terrified her. 

She wandered restlessly up and down the broad 
avenue which intersected the garden. Clearer than 
ever it stood to her, that the only man she loved with 
heart and soul was Elias. Perhaps he would some day 
occasion her the same pain, she now so mercilessly 
allowed the inspector to suffer. 

Lisbeth’s selfish disposition, however, did not per- 
mit her to occupy herself with others long, and she 
Boon thought no more of Lindroth, but only of herself. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


247 

“Was it settled that Elias loved Karin? Ko! 
Assume that he still loved her, then his happiness 
depended upon possessing her, and in that case Thure 
Avould decidedly keep silent and give up all claims,” 
thought Lisbeth ; “ but,” continued she, “ if Thure 
had already mentioned their engagement to uncle, 
then the latter would never allow Elias to marry 
another’s betrothed.” 

At this thought Lisbeth’s heart throbbed and she 
was seized with a violent desire to meet Elias, to talk 
with him and convince herself whether he loved her 
or Karin. 

She left the garden and went to look up Martha, 

“ Do you know whether Elias has come home yet ?” 
she inquired. 

“ He came just now and went up to his room. Do 
you wish to see him, Frbken ?” 

“ Certainly I do, but without sending a message to 
him.” 

“ Go up in the sitting-room ; I promise you that 
Elias will soon be there.” 

Just as Lisbeth was about to leave Martha’s room, 
she happened to see the inspector coming across the 
yard to the kitchen. She told Martha to go out and 
see what he wanted, while she remained where she 
was. 

“ Give this to the judge,” she heard the inspector 
say. “ I am going away and will not be back for two 
or three weeks ; but I will send a reliable person in 
my stead.” 

Lisbeth saw her discarded lover go down to the 
back yard. He carried a valise in his hand. 

“ God be praised, he has taken his departure,” 
sighed Lisbeth quite devoutly. 


CHAPTEK XXYII. 



fiTII lier crochet work in her hand Lisbeth sat 
by the open window in the sitting-room. 
She looked anxiously at the door and listened 
with bated breath. The sun was setting. 

On a table before the sofa stood a tray with lemon- 
ade and cake, which Martha had brought in ; but in 
spite of this temptation and Lisbeth’ s waiting, Elias 
was not heard from. To be sure Martha had told him 
that there was lemonade in there, but he had that 
time allowed the delicacies to stand, without seeking 


them. 

In the dining-room they began to set the table for 
supper. Lisbeth now saw Elias walk through the 
garden, with his overcoat and hat on. lie was thus 
going away. 

Lisbeth cared neither for chicken, waffles or any 
other good thing Martha had served up ; she was not 
able to eat and could not sleep either that night. At 
breakfast and also at dinner she was alone. Elias had 
not returned since he left the evening before. 


Finally late at niglit the following day, after Lisbeth, 
low-spirited and dejected, had drank her tea, Elias 
entered the dining-room. The table was not yet 


LITTLE KARIN. 


249 


cleared off and he seated himself, declaring that he 
was terribly hungry. 

“ I have been way to Arberga, to get a substitute 
for Lindroth, until uncle came home. I promised 
the poor fellow to see that uncle did not suffer on 
account of his decamping just in the busiest time.” 

Although Lisbeth would have liked to know whether 
the inspector had told Elias about his courtship, she 
took good care not to ask any questions, and contented 
herself with doing service as hostess, and that in an 
extremely amiable way. 

“When do you think uncle will come home?” 
asked she. 

“ To-morrow afternoon ; but we will have the new 
inspector in the morning. It is a young man, who is 
on the point of marrying. He is thus fire-proof, and 
will in the autumn take the superintendence of Major 
D — ’s place. Uncle only gets him on loan for these 
few months, and I beg of you, Lisbeth, do not tempt 
the young man to betray his intended bride.” 

“I am not likely to tempt any one,” answered 
Lisbeth with a sad smile. “ My power, if I ever had 
any, is broken.” 

“ Say not so, beauteous maid,” exclaimed Elias, as 
he rose from the table, “ you know full well, that we 
poor men become like pliant reeds in your hand. You 
are a terribly dangerous girl and you ought to be put 
in the Litany.” 

Elias lighted a cigar and started to go out in the 
garden, saying : 

“ Have you a desire to enjoy the beautiful evening ?” 

Lisbeth had a great desire for it and they took 
their places on the upper terrace. Martha saw them 
11 * 


250 


LITTLE KARIN. , 


sitting there and conversing, and this sight made lier 
quite glad, for she thought : 

“Now it will be settled.” 

One thing was certainly settled between the young 
people, but it was in direct opposition to what Martha 
supposed. 

After they had chatted awhile on random topics, 
Elias asked abruptly : 

“ Tell me, Lisbeth, why do you not wish Karin and 
me to marry ?” 

Elias’ open, honest eyes rested upon her. She be- 
came both red and white in her cheeks, as she answer- 
ed in an unsteady voice : 

“ I have not opposed it.” 

“ If not directly, then indirectly ; now explain why.” 

“ Answer me first, Elias, with perfect frankness ; 
what makes you desire a union with Karin ?” 

“ My love for her.” 

“ Elias !” exclaimed Lisbeth, hastily, “ it is not two 
years since you loved another. You cannot in earnest 
have the intention to make me believe that you are 
now attached to my sister. 

“ But it is so, nevertheless. If you doubt it, I am 
not to blame. Still if you listen to my .words you will 
find that it is not so incredible as you consider it to 
be. The inclination which drew me to you, was a 
violently over-wrought passion. I loved you, as a 
man for the first time in his life loves a beautiful wo- 
man. The sight of you was my joy and to admire 
you my felicity. Your indifference constituted my 
despair, your friendliness, iny happiness. Fear and 
hope alternated coijtinually in my soul and worked 
up my feelings to an unnatural height ; in order to 


LITTLE KARIN. 


251 


put an end to tlie uncertainty, I declared myself. 
Your answer came near making me insane; but after 
I survived the crisis, I was also completely cured. I 
was not willing to believe this myself; but when I at 
our next meeting found myself calm and contented in 
not being your betrothed, I could no longer conceal 
the truth from my own mind. It was as if the scales 
had fallen from my eyes, and I at once discovered 
that you were not at all the woman I could love faith- 
fully and earnestly. Now I can sacredly assert, that 
there is only one^ who possesses the soul qualities and 
the goodness of heart which I require in my wife, and 
this only one is — Karin. I love her with a deep and 
sincere love, not with an unnaturally intensified passion, 
but as human beings adore and worship the noble and 
elevated. Now, Lisbeth, it depends upon you wheth- 
er the happiness of possessing Karin shall be mine.” 

“ How can you assert that this depends upon me ? 
It can just as likely be Karin’s lack of affection for 
you,” replied Lisbeth angrily. 

No, Lisbeth, it. is not so. Karin loves me, I know 
it, I feel it ; but Karin will not purchase her happiness 
at the expense of yours, and she thinks that — that ” — 
Elias stopped a moment and looked at Lisbeth half 
smiling and confused, after which he added: ^‘that 
your ‘ no ’ ought to be regarded by me as a ^ yes.’ ” 

Lisbeth made no reply. With her face turned from 
him she sat silent at his side. After a moment Elias 
said : 

“Well, Lisbeth, what answer do you give me? 
Will you continue to stand between me and my hap- 
piness ? No, you cannot be so hard. Now it does 
not concern a mere passing fancy, but a deep and 


252 


LITTLE KARIN. 


earnest feeling. You will do away with Karin’s scru- 
ples and through this bind my gratitude to you, will 
you not ?” 

‘‘ Ko,” answered Lisbeth, short and sharp. “ I will 
not see you and Karin united.” She fastened her 
large, radiant eyes on Elias. It was a dangerous look 
she fixed upon him, full of passion. Elias met it and 
they regarded each other for a few seconds ; then Lis- 
heth again turned away her head. She had read in 
Elias’ eyes, that she never would succeed in infatua- 
ting him : that aU was ended. 

“ Take back the no you just uttered,” said Elias 
after a long pause. 

“ Kever,” answered Lisbeth proudly. “ Karin’s hap- 
piness is too dear to me for me to intrust it to suclr 
fickle hands as yours. Yesterday it was me you adored, 
to-day it is Karin, and to-morrow it will be somebody 
else. You shall never have Karin.” 

Kever !” repeated Elias. “ Isn’t that saying rather 
too much ?” 

“ I do not think so.” Lisbeth looked at him with 
flaming eyes. 

“Yery well, we will then see which of us is best 
able to gain our desires. Good-by, for the present, 
Lisbeth. I now swear, by my honor, that if I do not 
get Karin, I will remain unmarried, and you can rely 
upon it that I will Tiemr break my word.” 

Elias rose and went down in the garden ; Lisbeth 
re-entered the dining-room. Elias would not return 
to her ; that was settled. 

With bowed head she crossed the floor and approach- 
ed the opposite door. She did not see Martha, who 


LITTLE KARIN. 


253 


stood there with her hand resting on the knob, until 
the latter said : 

“ Well, has it become clear between you, so that we 
will have a wedding soon 

Lisbeth looked up quickly. 

“ Of whom are you speaking asked she, fastening 
a displeased look on Martha. 

“ About you and Elias, of course.” 

“We will never become a pair, you ought to know 
that already, Martha,” answered Lisbeth captiously 
and hurried up to her room. 


CHAPTEE XXYIII. 


'r ft IIEEE was miicli bustle and busy preparation 
at Ekholmen. In a few weeks a grand wed- 
ding was going to take place. All hands that 
could use a needle were employed and little Karin 
sewed diligently, sometimes singing quite merrily, but 
if her glance then fell on her sister’s surly and unfriend- 
ly face the song was hushed and she sank into thought. 
Weeks had elapsed in this way, without anything trans- 
piring which brought Karin and Elias nearer together. 
To be sure Karin was pleasant to Elias and he was con- 
stantly by her side ; but it looked as though both had 
cast all thoughts of marriage from their minds. Lis- 
beth followed them with angry looks. She also knew 
that she had a pair of eyes following her, and conse- 
quently she did not dare to attack Karin, much as she 
felt inclined to do so. When she could do it with 
impunity, she drew up Karin’s avarice, artfulness, and 
calculating character, without the slightest considera- 
tion. Still she did not venture to speak of this so that 
Johanna or Enkeman heard it, but was obliged to 
employ the opportunity when the girls and the young 
men were alone, and this happened very often. Karin 
answered these attacks with a jest, but Elias frequently 
251 : 


LITTLE KARIN. 


255 


became indignant and then Lisbeth amused herself to 
her heart's content with thoroughly irritating him by 
her malicious insinuations, until Thure, with some few 
words which seemed to be without any significance, 
put a stop to the contention. As soon as he mingled 
in the conversation Lisbeth ceased. 

Constantin was on such occasions a listener and 
scarcely thought of anything except that Lisbeth was 
beautiful when she became animated, and witty when 
she was malicious. He regarded the conflicts as a jest 
and did not see that behind the jest lay concealed ani- 
mosity. 

Lisbeth, however, became more and more incensed 
against Karin every day, and racked her brains to see 
how she could get hold of some trait of character 
which would loweiiKarin in Elias’ eyes. She made 
repeated attempts in this direction, and when she in 
vain referred to Karin’s love for money, without this 
producing the effect, she began to hunt for something 
else which might be more efficacious. She listened, 
when Karin talked to the justice, spied when she went 
to Pehr, and searched in her drawers and among her 
papers, without obtaining the slightest evidence of her 
sister’s meanness. Finally she drew attention to the 
fact that Karin constantly wore the key of a little cas- 
ket of hers, around her neck. The casket contained 
jewels and ornaments which she had inherited from 
iier aunt Karin ; but on the condition that she could 
not dispose of them or wear them herself, until she 
had entered into matrimony or attained twenty-five 
years. 

It was only lately that she had put the key on a 
cord and worn it on her person ; before it had laid in 


256 


LITTLE KARIN. 


a little private drawer in Karin’s writing-desk. Why 
was she now so afraid of it ? 

Lisbeth pondered npon this, without finding a suit- 
able reason. 

One evening when they came up to tlieir room, Lis- 
beth asked to see the old family jewels. These Karin 
had always been accustomed to show her before, w^hen 
she ’was in a bad humor. Kow she refused. Lisbeth 
renewed her request the next evening, but Karin 
could not be prevailed upon to comply with her wish. 
Every time she asked, she saw that Karin changed 
color arid refused in a dismissing tone. Thus there 
was something with the jewels. This Lisbeth must 
get at. She did not speak of them for several eve- 
nings, but resolved to discover why Kaiin colored 
when they were mentioned. As Elias now showed 
Karin his warm sympathy more and more plainly, Lis- 
beth made up her mind to, cost what it would, ferret 
out the mystery of that casket and the jewels. 

The day the bans were first read for Johanna and 
the justice, there was a large company at Ekholmen, 
and among the guests who were invited was a cousin 

to the Heldener girls’ mother, Fru Caroline S 

and her three daughters. 

Kever had Johanna looked better than on that day. 
She would have been able, without danger of being 
accused of an untruth, to give her age as only thirty- 
five instead of forty-five, so blooming and animated 
was her face. The beaming eyes, the handsome black 
hair, and the fresh smile, had something so youthful, 
that she was indisputably a fine-looking woman. She 
wore a magnificent dress, full of flounces, fringe, and 


LITTLE KARIN. 


257 


rosettes. In her hair were fastened crimson ribbons. 
In. short, her whole costume spoke of the pleasure she 
experienced in at length having resolved to enter into 
the married state. Johanna was happy ; she looked 
happy ; she was no longer obliged to envy Lisbeth her 
youth and beauty ; she now possessed what was worth 
more, the tried affection of an honorable man. She 
also saw Lisbeth appear in all the lustre of her daz- 
zling loveliness without ill-will. 

Lisbeth was admired by all ; all eyes were fastened 
upon her, and she enjoyed the triumph of, even in 
Elias’ eyes, reading the acknowledgement of her 
charms ; but it was only at their first coming together 
that he gave her this glance of admiration ; after that 
she was dead to him. 

Thure pretended in the beginning not to see her, 
but afterwards he was inseparable from her side, and 
for the first time he showed to the whole world, not 
only that he paid the beautiful girl his homage, but 
that they stood on a very intimate footing with each 
other. There was something tenderly confidential in 
his manner, that provoked and tormented Constantin. 
Among friends and acquaintances it called forth the 
remark that they would probably soon hear of an en- 
gagement between Thure and Lisbeth. 

Thure’s behavior vexed the latter, without her dar- 
ing to show it, and in order to take revenge on him 
she flirted with all, and was so lively and bewitching 
that she became the divinity, at whose feet the young 
gentlemen laid their homage. 

Karin danced and was as happy and free from care 
as a child. She and Elias had it indescribably pleasant, 
and for the first time in a long while, she threw aside 


LITTLE KARIN. 


P.58 

all tlionglit of others, and enjoyed the delight of the 
moment with full draughts. 

She and Elias had danced a wild galop and then sat 
down to rest out on the veranda, in the dark hut mild 
September evening. They were alone. The reflec- 
tion from the windows lighted the veranda also. Elias 
held the young girl’s hand in his. 

‘‘ Karin, you love me?” whispered he with a warm 
voice. 

Karin did not answer, but she sat still and let her 
hand rest in his. 

‘‘You are silent.” His arm stole round her waist 
and he drew her closer to him, without her making 
any resistance. 

“Will you fulflll my desire and uncle’s, will you 
become mine ?” Karin looked up at him, smiled and 
whispered — “Yes.” V 

A kiss sealed the promise ; but aE'fhe same instant 
a slight noise was heard and the sound of a sigh. 
Karin rose hastily and faltered with anguish : 

“ Lisbeth !” 

She looked around. Her sister was not to be seen, 
but Thure stood before them. 

“ Was it you who sighed?” asked she. 

“Yes,” answered Thure. “It was a sigh of relief; 
Lisbeth is now mine.” 

A waltz was struck up. 

“ You have promised me this, Karin,” resumed 
Thure. 

“You must resign it to me,” declared Elias, and 
without waiting for his consent, they hastened into 
the saloon. 

Thure remained standing on the veranda and looked 


LITTLE KARIN. 


259 


out in tlie dark night ; a deep sigh again heaved his 
breast. Then he muttered ; 

It must be !” 

The waltz was ended. Old man Wikstrand steered 
his course straight to Karin and Elias. 

‘‘ How cursedly much you dance with each other, 
I must say that such behavior ” — 

“ Is suitable for a newly betrothed pair,” interrupted 
Karin, laugliing, and hurried away. The old man 
looked at Elias, offered him his hand and exclaimed 
gladly : 

“ Hurra ! How you have done me honor and given 
me a cursedly great joy. Before we break up this 
evening all shall know that I have my dearest desire 
fulfilled. 'Do you agree to that?” 

What Eli|s a^wered, we do not know. He hasten- 
ed to ^eek I{fe-ii^,- and the judge was just going in to 
the gentlemen at the card-table when Thure closed 
his path. 

The judge looked at him. 

“ I am prepared to conform to your will, sir,” said 
Thure. 

“All right, when the toasts are drank after supper,” 
answered the judge, absenting himself. 

“ Kow it is settled,” muttered Thure. 

The guests thronged around the supper-table, laden 
with delicacies, flowers and glass. They chatted, 
laughed, and drank. 

In the midst of the group of young people stood 
Lisbeth and Karin; as their privileged chevaliers, 
Elias and Thure did service, without suffering any of 
the other gentlemen to procure the young girls the 
the least thing. Constantin was enraged at Thure ; 


260 


LITTLE KARIN. 


Lisbetli was almost equally so, although she tried to 
conceal it under pleasantry and laughter. 

They had finished supper, then came the toasts ; the 
first one proposed by Wikstrand was as a matter of 
course, for the two whose matrimonial alliance was 
that day for the first time announced from the pulpit, 
lie made a very humorous speech to his sister and 
intended brother-in-law, which called forth great merri- 
ment among his hearers, blushes in the girls and 
fiancee’s cheeks, and a smile on the lips of the happy 
lover. The toast was drank with jubilation. When 
the hubbub ceased, the judge bade his guests fill their 
glasses in order to drink with him a health to the 
happiness and success of his nephew. 

All seized their glasses. Elias stood at Karin’s side 
and by him stood Thure, Lisbetli and Constantin, 
besides several young ladies. All eyes were fastened 
upon Elias. Little Karin became red in her cheeks, 
when uncle Magnus, in a loud, clear voice, said : 

“ My friends, I propose a toast to Elias Wikstrand 
and his betrothed, Karin Heldener.” 

A murmur of surprise and congratulation. They 
pressed around the young couple, clinked glasses, 
laughed, shook hands with them and showered good 
wishes upon them. 

During this tumult a glass had fallen to the fioor: 
people trod on the fragments without troubling them- 
selves about it. It was Lisbeth who had dropped 
hers and now tried to get away from the betrothed 
pair and from the crowd, but an iron hand held her 
fast and a suppressed voice whispered : 

“ Be still, I wiU it 


LITTLE KARIN. 


261 


She stood there pale as a marble statue and just as 
motionless. 

At length the bumper was drained and calm follow- 
ed the joyful storm. The judge again asked the 
guests to fill their glasses : “ I have another toast to 
propose,” said he. To-day we have the pleasure of 
drinking the health of the third betrothed pair. It is 
in reality an old engagement, although it has only 
been known by the parties themselves and me ; but 
notwithstanding this it has existed for three years, 
and therefore I am happy to ask you to drink to the 
betrothal of Thure Lenmark and Lisbeth Heldener. 
Here’s to their faithful love !” 

If Lisbeth had been struck by a thunder-bolt, it 
could not have been more terrible than this announce- 
ment of her own betrothal, just now when her whole 
soul was flaming with jealousy. The hand that took 
the glass Thure gave her was cold as ice and her 
cheeks were bloodless. She received the congratula- 
tions and jests with a dull and indifferent manner ; 
she heard the hum of voices as if in a dream, and she 
did not clearly understand what had happened until 
she was whirled around in the first waltz after supper, 
clasped by Thure’s arm, and he, in a stern voice, 
whispered to her : 

“ Now we are betrothed before the world ; but be 
calm, a year shall elapse before we become mates.” 

Lisbeth gave no answer. She was too agitated, too 
much overcome to be able to speak. She could have 
borne anything, except that Karin should become 
Elias’ wife. 

“ Betrothal is not marriage ; much can occur, before 
it is time for the wedding,” thought she. 


CHAPTEK XXIX. 



‘ HE party, so eventful to Lisbetli, was over. 
Complete stillness and quiet prevailed at 
^ Ekliolmen. All had retired: all rested after 
their exertions, and Karin slept calmly with smiling 
lips. Lisbeth alone could not close her eyes. She 
had not even gone to bed, but sat leaning back on the 
sofa in her morning-gown, listening to her sister’s 
calm, equal breathing. 

She was brooding upon evil thoughts. Finally she 
rose, went with a stealthy step into Karin’s room, 
stopped by her bed and looked at tlie sleeper with an 
expression of bitterness and almost hate. 

“Is there then nothing that can ruin her in his 
esteem ? ” thought Lisbeth. “ I sliould again become 
a good and loving sister if her engagement wilh 
Elias was broken ; but now, now I can never forgive 
lier for deceiving me with the representation that he 
loved me, while she herself did everything to gain 
his love. 

Lisbeth’s eyes flitted from Karin to the dressing- 
table that stood by the bed. The young girl had 
fallen asleep without putting out the light. On the 
table lay a bouquet, a pair of gloves that she had worn 
2G2 


LITTLE KARIN. 


263 


at the party, and beside these a bunch of keys and a 
black ribbon upon which was another key. Lisbeth’s 
gaze was fixed on this a second, and then she took pos- 
session of the black ribbon. 

With noiseless steps she stole to Karin’s bureau, 
upon which stood an old-fashioned casket, artistically 
designed and handsomely mounted with gilt. With- 
out disturbing any of the trifles on the bureau, 
Lisbeth lifted up the little casket and went with it to 
her room. She unlocked it cautiously and took out 
some old-fashioned etuis, which she opened one after 
another. They were all empty^ but one could tell by 
the form, that they had contained different articles of 
jewelry, ear-rings, bracelets, necklace and breast-pin. 

“ All of the jewels gone ! ” cried Lisbeth in conster- 
nation ; but as Karin moved just at that instant, she 
blew out the light and sat perfectly still, without even 
drawing her breath. When it again became quiet in 
her sister’s room and the latter’s even respiration indi- 
cated that she slumbered, Lisbeth glided in after her 
lamp, and put the empty etuis back again in the casket, 
but in doing so she caught sight of a paper that laid 
in the bottom. She unfolded it and read the few 
words it contained : ‘‘ Keceived 2000 thalers for three 
years time.” It was Karin’s hand-writing. 

Lisbeth put the paper back with the rest, the casket 
and the key resumed their places, and she went to bed 
with a face which expressed satisfaction. 

If Karin procured money on the jewels in one way 
or another, then she had committed a deed that uncle 
Magnus would never forgive her. She had stolen 
these jewels ; they were not hers until she had reached 
the age of twenty-five. They had been placed in her 


2G4 


LITTLE KARIN.- 


keeping, because her uncle relied upon her and did 
not doubt for a single instant that she would take 
care of them. If he now learned that they were 
gone, what would occur ? How would Elias, with his 
strict ideas of integrity, then judge her? 

Lisbeth fell asleep while she made these mental 
inquiries, and she dreamed that Elias, at the discovery 
that Karin had parted with the jewels, gave her back 
the betrothal ring, but just as Karin took it Lisbeth 
awoke. 

The sun stood high in the heavens when she opened 
her eyes and Karin was already out doors. 

Lisbeth heard her blithe song dowji in the garden. 
Bitter feelings surged within her. Karin was happy, 
while she was wretched. Karin sang, while she felt 
like weeping. Karin was engaged to the one she 
loved, and she was bound to a man that she had 
ceased to love. With what passionate regard she now 
thought of Elias and how intensely she envied Karin. 

It took her a long time to dress herself. She found 
it very painful to go down to breakfast and witness 
Karin’s happiness, while it was so disagreeable to her 
that Thure should have the right to openly show a 
love, which she, not even during the days it had a 
response in her own heart, wished to acknowledge 
before others. The greatest delight had consisted in 
Thure’s being hard to conquer, afterwards tlie secrecy 
had increased the charm. In spite of the excitement 
of this condition, Lisbeth’s love had died out, when 
the desire to regain Elias awakened within her. She 
thought of his betrothal with aversion. She neither 
dared nor was able to break it ; Thure had placed 


LITTLE KARIN. 265 

altogether to strong bonds on her for that, now that 
he had asserted his claims. 

She linally went down to breakfast when the sriii 
came up and told her that the judge was waiting. 

All the members of the family were in the dining- 
room. They laughed and chatted. Johanna, the 
justice, Karin, and Elias carried on the conversation, 
and were very merry. Constantin looked gloomy and 
cast a dark glance at Lisbeth as she entered. Thure 
came to meet her, quite unconstrained, and greeted 
his betrothed politely, although there was not the 
slightest sign of any suppressed tenderness in his 
manner. 

The judge was in a great hurry ; he was going with 
Thure to an extra court, and therefore the breakfast 
was hastily dispatched. When the gentlemen were 
about to leave Thure said to Lisbeth ; 

‘^Erom court I shall ride to hoping, where I 

am obliged to stay several days to attend to various 
law matters. I hope you will not miss me too much.” 
These last words were uttered with a peculiar smile. 

They departed. Elias alone 'remained at home. 
Lisbeth found it abominably tedious and paid a visit 
to the parsonage. Johanna, aunt Caroline, Karin, and 
the young ladies had had a great deal to do all day ; 
but in the evening they all sat down together in the 
sitting-room, where the first autumn fire was kindled. 

The justice was absent ; he had gone to hoping 

with Thure, where they had some suits in process. 
The judge was conversing with Elias about a very 
remarkable theft T>f valuables, which had just occurred 
at one of the large country-seats in the neighborhood, 
and on account ofnvhich there had been an extra ses- 
12 


266 


LITTLE KARIN. 


sion. The house-keeper in the wealthy and aristocratic 
establishment was strongly suspected, although there 
were not sufficient proofs for her arrest. 

“ It is not right to keep such a collection of valua- 
bles and not have it locked up in a safe,” said the 
judge ; “ in that way one creates thieves, for the daily 
temptation to appropriate that which could secure in- 
dependence is repeated so often, that if the ideas of 
right are not the stronger, they will in the end yield.” 

“ I have thought the same about Karin’s jewel-cas- 
ket,” joined in Lisbeth, crocheting diligently. “Any 
body can wa]k off with it, especially as its exterior 
must draw the attention of whoever enters the room.” 

She raised her eyes from her work and fastened 
them on Karin, who had become very pale. 

“ You may be right, although I do not think that 
any temptations exist in this instance, as the servants 
in the first place do not know of its contents, and in 
the second, they are all old ones, tried in the service.” 

“ True,” resumed Lisbeth with her eyes still on 
Karin, “ but any straggler may take the notion to go 
up, when we are out of the way. He might see the 
little casket, and would unavoidably think that it con- 
tained something of value, and so take it.” 

Wikstrand laughed and said that Lisbeth had con- 
jured up a regular thief story, and that before the 
judge himself ; still she might be right in saying that 
one ought to be more careful to conceal jewels, which 
were worth their three or four thousand thalers. 

“ I advise you, therefore, dear Karin,” added he, 
“ to immediately go and lock up the casket.” 

Karin rose hastily and declared that she would do 
it without delay. The voice with which she uttered 


LITTLE KARIN. 


267 


the words sounded so unsteady, that Elias, who for an 
instant had his gaze turned in another direction, looked 
at his little fiancee and seized her hand, saying : 

How is it, Karin, you have become pale and your 
voice trembles ; are you ill 

Karin gave him a warm and loving smile, kissed 
him on the brow, and hurried out. 

Lisbeth crocheted at a desperate rate and continued 
to talk about the jewels. She could not understand 
her aunt’s singular will, in giving one of her nieces a 
sum of money, not greater than two thousand thalers, 
and the other, jewels which were worth at least four 
thousand. She was also cognizant of the fact that 
their departed aunt had spent her life in very straight- 
ened circumstances, as the interest of that small sum 
must of a necessity have been insufficient. 

“Why did she not sell the jewels?” asked Lisbeth. 
“ She would then have been able to lead a life free from 
care.” 

“ They constituted the last remnant of the family 
treasures which once belonged to your mother’s rela- 
tives on her father’s side, who as you know, were both 
rich and powerful,” said Wikstrand. After they, dur- 
ing the time of liberty, became ruined, these jewels, 
which were once given to the youngest daughter in 
the family by some royal person, have passed in inher- 
itance to the youngest of the family, and on this 
ground became your aunt’s property. At one timCj 
when she was in great difficulty, some one proposed 
to your aunt to turn them into money and through 
the interest of this amount increase her income; but 
she refused, alleging as her reason, that they ought to 
be bequeathed to her niece Karin. ‘ She shall have 


268 


LITTLE KARIN. 


them,’ said aunt Karin, ‘ but not until she is twenty- 
five years of age can she regard them as her property, 
and if her guardian then thinks it best for her to sell 
them, she may do it ; I have, however, resigned all 
claim to them. As a married woman, on the other 
hand, Karin would only have the right to dispose of 
them in the event of her being left a widow without 
means.’ ” 

Lisbeth was silent a moment ; then she said : 

“ But why shall Karin have them in her possession, 
and not you, uncle, wdio are our guardian ?” 

“ From the simple reason that I consider them to 
be in just as good keeping with Karin as wdth me, and 
as your aunt expressed the desire that Karin, after she 
had been confirmed, should be allowed to have them 
in her charge, as entrusted goods. ‘ They do not 
belong to her until she is twenty-five,’ said the old lady, 
but it would be beneficial to her to have them with 
her ; it would then be harder for her to ever dispose 
of them.’ ” 

Elias had with a certain surprise listened to the con- 
versation about the jewels, especially as Lisbeth so 
stubbornly persisted in it. Finally he said : 

“ It is astonishing what an interest you take in those 
old trinkets ; it seems to me that they are not worth 
wasting words upon.” 

“ Have you ever seen them ?” asked Lisbeth. 

Ko, I have not. Were they Karin’s property I 
might possibly enjoy looking at them ; but as it is, 
they lack all power of exciting my curiosity. 

“ They are exceedingly beautiful,” observed Johanna, 
just as Karin again entered. 

Elias went towards her and asked playfully : 


LITTLE KARIN. 


269 


“Well, are the treasures now under lock and key 
He wondered at Karin’s perturbed manner and added, 
as he took her round the waist: “but do tell me, 
beloved little curly -head, what is the matter with you, 
you look as frightened as if the thieves had taken your 
prospective jewels.” 

“Dear, sweet Karin, bring them down and show 
them to Elias,” begged Lisbeth. 

“ Yes, let us see them,” joined in aunt Carolina, “it 
will be a real pleasure to look at them.”^ 

“ I will not bring them down,” replied Karin, 
shortly, and leaned against Elias, but was so pale in 
her cheeks that she looked as though she had come 
near falling in a swoon. 

“ Why will you not ?” asked the j lidge, surprised at 
the tone in which she spoke, and as he at the same 
moment looked at her, he also became aware of her 
agitated aj)pearance and deathly paleness. 

Karin sprang forward to him, put her arms around 
his neck and wdiispered : 

“ May I be spared from showing them ?” Her voice 
was full of anguish. The keen old judge instantly 
took the suspicion that there was something about the 
jewels, which distressed Karin and which Lisbeth 
wished to have brought to light. Perhaps they were 
already stolen? He lifted up Karin’s head, looked 
her in the ejes, and said in a decided tone : 

“ Go after the casket.” 

Karin did not stir. Elias looked at her anxiously, 
for even her lips had become white. She, the bloom- 
ing, joyous and smiling Karin, now presented an 
image of agony and terror. It seemed as if she was 
on the point of falling to the floor. Elias also thought : 


270 


LITTLE KARIN. 


“ nave they stolen them from her, as she looks so 
territied ? “ My poor little darling,’^ added he aloud, 

has anything happened to your jewels 

“ Go after the casket !” repeated the judge sternly. 

Karin left the room. 

A painful silence ensued. They waited for Karin’s 
return. Elias walked up and down uneasily. Jo- 
hanna cast displeased glances at Lisbeth, and aunt 
Carolina looked curious. 

When Karin finally came hack, she was like a 
shadow of herself. She had the casket with her and 
handed it and the key to Wikstrand, then she threw 
herself at his feet, embraced his knees and burst into 
violent sobs. 

The judge put the key in the lock, raised the lid 
and found only the empty etuis. 

‘‘ What does this mean ? Where are the jewels ?” 
he exclaimed, seizing her by the arm and pulling her 
up. ‘‘Speak, what have you done with the jewels 

“ I have pawned them.” 

Another torturing pause succeeded her W'ords. All 
eyes were fastened upon her. Elias had become as 
pale as she. 

“ To whom and for what object ?” inquired the 
judge, austerely. 

Karin literally fell at his feet again, and faltered : 

“ Question me not, I shall never tell it, never, never, 
to any one,” sobbed she. 

“But unfortunate girl, these jewels were not yours; 
you have thus committed a theft ; you have disposed 
of entrusted goods.” 

“ I know it ; but I have not been able to act other- 


LITTLE KARIN. 271 

wise. I have not sold them, I have pawned them, 
and will sometime redeem them again.” 

“For wliat purpose?” persisted the stern judge. 

So much lay in these few words. Karin understood 
it and pressed her face close to her knee. Ah, what 
would become of her but for him, and his interroga- 
tion let her know that from him she had nothing to 
hope. 

At this moment when her sobs nearly choked her, 
when she felt as it were that she was lost, some one 
seized her around her waist, and a mild, loving voice 
said : 

“ Get up, Karin, you cannot have done anything of 
which you need to be asliamed ; I feel it.” The voice 
was Elias’ and the ann which lifted her up was his, 
too. “ If Lisbeth, aunt Johanna, aunt Carolina and 
the girls go out, I am sure that you will tell uncle why 
you allowed yourself to pawn these jewels. You 
must have confidence in us both. You know how 
deeply we love you,” 

All the others left the room. Lisbeth almost as 
pale as Karin. 

“Kow we are alone,” said the judge, crossing his 
arms. 

Karin stood upright before him. She pushed back 
her curly hair with both hands and raised her head, 
while a sigh heaved her breast ; then she said with a 
firm voice : 

“ Uncle and you, Elias, must not be angry with me, 
but I have made myself and God a solemn promise 
never to mention to any mortal, either to what use I 
have employed this money or that which I have saved 
np. It is probable that you will both take from me 


272 


LITTLE KAEIN. 


your love and respect, that you will reject me ; hut 
notwithstanding this I cannot do differently. May 
God pardon me if I have mistaken the right course ; 
it now seems to me that I have not done so, and may 
uncle and Elias forgive me for causing you sorrow. 
You ought to believe me, however, when I swear, be- 
fore God and by the memory of my departed mother, 
that I have not acted unworthily.” 

“Not unworthily,” exclaimed the judge, “when 
you have disposed of what was not yours ?” 

“ Ah, uncle, say not so ; the jewels were mine, even 
if I did not, according to law, possess the right to sell 
them under six years. I have now pawned them, and 
Ido not repent it.” 

“ So you will not acknowledge to whom you pawned 
them or what you have done with the money ?” 

“ Never !” 

“Well then, hear my words. Before I have full 
cognizance of what all your money transactions signify, 
before the jewels are back and everything is plain and 
clear, you shall not marry Elias, even if he were fool- 
ish enough to wish to have so strange a girl as you 
for his wife. I am his guardian and can hinder yoim 
marriage. Your action with the jewels resembles a 
theft, and if I did right I would accuse you before the 
bar. Now you have the choice : to confess or to give 
up Elias. I again give you my word of honor that I 
will ascertain the true facts of the case, even if you 
persist in concealing them. The jewels must be re- 
covered, else I, who have placed them in your care, 
will be compromised.” 

Karin bent down her head and said nothing. A 


LITTLE KAKIN. 


273 


bright red spot burned on one cheek, her breast heaved, 
but she kept silent. The judge left the room. 

Karin, dear, beloved little Karin, tell uncle what 
you did with the jewels,” entreated Elias, seizing her 
hands. I do not care to know it ; I believe that you 
have employed them for some good purpose, although 
I disapprove of your doing it without uncle’s per- 
mission. You have now placed him in a disagreeable 
position and yourself in the bargain. Go in to him 
and whisper your secret in his ear ; he will certainly 
keep it. You owe this to him, your second father. 
Yes, my little curly-head must do what I ask, if she 
does not wish us all to suffer. 

Karin linked her arms about his neck, pressed her 
face to him and sobbed aloud when he clasped her 
tenderly to his breast. 

“ Elias, do not ask me, I cannot,” she whispered. 

The arms that clasped her loosened. He pushed 
her gently from him. 

Can you not? Your secret is then worth more 
to you than uncle’s peace and calm, more than the love 
for me. Karin, Karin, beware, you might even tempt 
me to doubt you. Consider, aunt Carolina will surely 
make a great ado about the matter and then uncle will 
be in a very singular situation, and you yourseK.” 

‘‘ Hot a word more, Elias. Uncle can never suffer 
from my acts before the world, and I — I — submit to 
everything.” 

“ Even to part from me for ever ?” 

“ Even that,” whispered Karin. She seized Elias’ 
hands, pressed them to her lips and flew from the 
room. 


12 * 


CHAPTER XXX. 



[he next day and also the following days pass- 
ed, without any further developments with 
regard to the jewel affair. Karin kept her- 
self in her room, in order to be spared the pain of 
seeing her uncle in his present state of mind. She 
had not courage to meet his glance, when it expressed 
anger and displeasure. She had alleged head-ache; 
but this pretext did not save her from the visits of 
aunt Carolina, who came in several times a day to try 
to force her to say where the jewels were. When 
Karin did not comply with this desire, her aunt broke 
out in the most violent accusations, not only against 
Karin, but against the judge, asserting, that she would 
charge him with having been the cause of the disposal 
of the jewels ; those precious old jewels, which had so 
long passed in inheritance in the family. They would 
have fallen to aunt Carolina’s youngest daughter after 
Karin’s death, provided Karin and Lisbeth died . un- 
married or without daughters, and now, now her 
children were robbed of this property. When aunt 
Carolina left Karin, Lisbeth presented herself and 
tormented her ; when Lisbeth took her departure, 
Johanna came and begged that she would put an end 
274 


LITTLE KARIN. 


275 


to all tills trouble, but Karin, remained inflexible. 
On tlie third day, in the evening, Johanna came in, 
after all the rest had gone to bed. 

“Kow listen, dear Karin,” said she, patting the 
little pale face. “ To-morrow Enkeman and Thure 
are coming from the city, and I fear that your uncle 
intends to attack the former, in order to find out your 
secret. Magnus suspects that he knows it. Kow 
would it not be better if you prevented all disagreeable 
scenes between the gentlemen, and told Magnus every- 
thing? He is so irritated, through Carolina’s fuss 
about it, that he is enraged with every body and 
everything, which he believes to have connection with 
the miserable jewels; as it now is, it must lead to 
great difficulty. Obviate this, I beg of you.” 

Where is Elias ?” inquired Karin. It was the 
first time she had asked for him. It had been so bitter 
to her, that he had not a single once mentioned her 
name during these days. 

“ Elias and Magnus had a falling out the evening 
when the jewel story came on the tapis, and so violent 
a one, that Elias went away that night and has not 
come back since. Do you wish to cause dissension in 
the whole familj^ ? Do you wish your uncle to be 
rewarded with ingratitude even by Elias ?” 

“ Ko, I do not.” 

“ Well then, prevent the evil you have evoked from 
being irreparable. Good night, child. God will not 
forgive you, if you continue to keep silent.” 

Johanna left her. Karin sank down on her knees 
before her mother’s portait. 


It was a clear and fresh September morning, that 


276 


LITTLE KARIN. 


followed tlie evening just described. Lisbetb had not 
been able to sleep, and had risen early. The whole 
night through she had been troubled with anxiety, 
which resembled remorse, for she had heard Karin’s 
sobs through the closed door. Once she had tried to 
go in to her, but the door was locked, and when she 
knocked, Karin answered, quite sorrowfully, that she 
wished to be alone. 

If Lisbeth did not reproach herself directly for 
having been the one, who informed against her sister, 
something like repentance stirred within her and drove 
sleep from her couch. When the first rays of the sun 
peeped in, she stood ready dressed, listening at Karin’s 
door. All was still and quiet in there, and this also 
tormented Lisbeth. Uneasiness forced her to try to 
come in equilibrium through a morning w^alk. 

Just as she opened the front door, Elias jumped out 
of the chaise that stopped at the steps. 

“ Well, it can be called good luck, to have so agree- 
able a meeting, when one comes home. It is a pleasure, 
dear Lisbeth, to see your charming face the first thing 
in the morning,” exclaimed Elias, in high spirits, and 
embraced Lisbeth, in spite of her resistance, adding : 
‘‘ what matters it if I get an embrace, Thure is not 
likely to take it amiss, even if he saw it?” 

It was very long since Elias had addressed Lisbeth 
in that glad and familiar tone. Her cheeks glowed 
with the brightest color, as she disengaged lierseK and 
with some unsteadiness in her voice, said : 

“ How delighted you look !” 

“ Does that surprise you ?” 

“ Most assuredly. I took it for granted that you 
had gone away on account of the trouble here at home.” 


LITTLE KARIN. 


277 


“Ah indeed, you have had trouble here. I am 
sorry, but I could not suffer from it when I was absent.’’ 

“ Elias, you can certainly not be so frivolous, as to 
have forgotten what occurred the evening you left 
home ?” 

“Ah, you mean the jewel story. Well, it was not 
exactly pleasant, especially as uncle wished us, Karin 
and I, to give each other back the betrothal rings, 
which he was so anxious that we should exchange. 

o 

I went away, to escape the fuss.” 

“ But he will undoubtedly wish the same thing, 
now that you are home again.” 

“ Perhaps. Human beings are so inconsistent.” 

“ How do you then intend to act?” 

“I do not know. Perhaps I will again comply 
with his wishes ; but the result will then be, that he 
will desire us to be betrothed.” Elias laughed. 

“ You are dreadfully inconstant,” sighed Lisbeth. 

“ Do you really think so ?” He looked at her with 
a mischievous expression and continued : “ perhaps 
you would not be willing to break your engagement ?” 

What did he mean ? Lisbeth’s ears burned and she 
gave him a searching glance ; but the merry face was 
an enigma which she could not interpret. 

He took her hand, led her back to the house and 
opened the dining-room door, saying : 

“ Come and let us talk together. I have something 
to ask you about, dear Lisbeth.” 

She followed him. Elias seated himself on the 
sofa and drew Lisbeth down beside him. 

“Will you answer a question frankly?” He smil- 
ed, looked at her and added, without waiting for any 


278 


LITTLE 5ARIN. 

answer : what do you think Karin did with the jew- 
els, or rather the money she obtained for them 

‘‘ I do not know and haven’t the slightest idea. 

“ What do you think ? Lisbeth, much depends 
upon your telling me your opinion.” 

I have no opinion of my own ; but Martha, she 
asserts that Karin, through Pehr Granngard, loans out 
money at a high interest.” 

“ Thus a usurer.” Elias laughed heartily. And 
that Martha tells you about your own sister P 
Martha has been my nurse.” 

“ Do you share this opinion?” Elias could with 
difficulty keep himself from again bursting into a 
loud laugh. Lisbeth felt provoked by his niirthf ulness. 

“ It is not an impossibility, when one considers how 
eager Karin has always been for money and how 
stubbornly she refused unde the amount he wished 
her to give him ; so also with her obstinacy in not 
wishing to mention the fate of the jewels.” 

“ But the deuce take it, Lisbeth, Karin is then a 
little usuress, and I cannot think of such a thing as 
marrying her.” 

“ Then you will have to refrain from it,” replied 
Lisbeth, with a light sigh. 

“ Well, that does not belong here. Kow I will only 
tell you, that I have succeeded in getting track of the 
jewels.” 

“ Where are they ?” ^ 

“That remains my secret for the present. But 
what is more, I have the whole of Karin’s money 
story on my five fingers, and all this we have you to 
thank for.” 

“Me?” exclaimed Lisbeth almost frightened. 


LITTLE KARIN. ^ 


279 


“Just you. Had you not so skillfully led tlie 
conversation upon the jewels, all would still have been 
concealed. How, Lisbeth, I would exceedingly like 
to know why you were so anxious to have it known, 
that Karin had sent away the jewels. That you were 
aware of it, I understood immediately.” 

Lisbeth dropped her eyes. She did not feel good 
at all. It is true she ought to contradict this assertion, 
but to do it with the confidence truth bestows, was 
impossible. She therefore answered impatiently ; 

“ What entitles you to such an assertion ?” 

“ I have told you. I saw it in your face. How to 
another question : why did you do it ?” 

“ In order to tell that, your assertion should be true, 
and this is not the case.” 

“ Bah, Lisbeth, what avails it to play a part with 
each other ? I know you so well, that I will imme- 
diately explain your course of action. Through some 
chance you had discovered that the jewels were gone ; 
you were besides very ill-disposed towards Karin, and 
had been for some time, and so you were seized with 
an irresistible desire for revenge, to punish her for 
various things which had displeased you. Still you 
did not wish to denounce her directly, but let it occur 
in an indirect way. That you would deprive Karin 
of uncle’s love, and possibly of my respect, too, you 
were sure, and so you made a victim of the little ava- 
ricious usuress. You wdshed to save me from the 
misfortune of having her for a wife, and to save Karin 
from being spoiled any longer by uncle. You have 
also come within one of succeeding, something which 
ouglit to afford you great gratification.” 

It no longer escaped Lisbeth that there was mockery 


280 


LITTLE KARIN. 


in Elias’ tone. Elias, whom she now loved, dared to 
ridicule her. She flew np. 

“What is the meaning of jour derision?” exclaimed 
she. 

“ I do not deride, I only speak out an ugly truth^'^ 
answered Elias in a changed tone, and looked seriously 
at Lisbeth. “ At this present time, Lisbeth, I cannot 
comprehend how it was possible for me to be so daz- 
zled by your beauty, as to fall in love with yon. I 
did not then see that this beauty concealed a cold, 
hard, selflsh, and vain heart. I do now, though, and 
thank you for sparing me the misfortune of dragging 
out my life at your side. Erom wounded vanity you 
have desired to have me back at your feet ; from 
wounded vanity you have hated my and Karin’s union, 
from the meanest envy you have Anally tried to de- 
prive Karin of uncle’s alfection, my love, and the 
esteem of others. Lisbeth, you have grave sins to 
atone for, and I pity Thure wdth all my heart, who 
has won your unreliable love.” 

Elias rose. Lisbeth’s face had sunk down in her 
hands. She stood so an instant, then she quickly 
raised her head, looked at Elias, and asked in a muffled 
voice : 

“ Why do you say these offensive things to me ?” 

“ Because you must sometime hear them from some 
one besides your own conscience, if you are ever to 
realize how ill you have acted.” 

The door opened and Martha entered, followed by 
the maid with a tray. The breakfast-table was going 
to be set. 

Lisbeth withdrew, and Elias went to one of the 
windows, where he remained standing as long as the 


LITTLE KARIN. 


281 


sen-ants were there. When the door closed after 
them, he turned to go and knock at the judge’s door. 
But he checked his steps, for Karin came out of the 
sitting-room, pale and with her eyes red from weeping. 
She held a sealed letter in her hand and apparently 
intended to cross the room to the same door, which 
Elias was approaching. 

‘‘ Karin, my little blooming Karin, so pale, so troub- 
led, so cast down, just as if she had something to 
repent, to beg pardon for. What does it all mean 
lie threw his arms around her and lifted her high up, 
adding : ‘‘ you are the best, the noblest of all jewels. 
Away with tears, be proud, be glad, my own girl. In 
triumph will I carry you around the world and ex- 
claim : here are the lost jewels.” 

Elias kissed her, laughed like a child and then put 
her down on the floor again, saying : 

“Well, now smile at me and you will then see that 
all will be changed from sorrow to joy. Only say 
that you are glad to see me. 

Karin did not say it, but she smiled at him and this 
smile told how dear he was to her. 

Steps were heard in the judge’s room. Elias push- 
ed Karin back in the sitting-room and whispered : 

“Go up again, until uncle calls you.” 

He kissed her lips and eyes in a trice. 

“Give him this,” said Karin sadly, handing the 
letter to Elias. 

“ What does it contain ?” 

“ The only explanation I can give.” 

One more kiss and Elias was the next minute with 
his hand on the door of the judge’s room. He opened 
it and stepped briskly in. 


CHAPTEE XXXL 



breakfast hour all the family were 
Q assembled in the dining-room, except the 
master of the house and Karin. The justice 
and Thure were also there. The latter with a clouded 
aspect, something which was ill suited to a newly 
betrothed young man. He stood by the window and 
conversed in a low tone with Elias, while Lisbeth sat 
leaning back on the sofa, every now and then looking 
at her watch, with an impatient gesture. Aunt Carolina 
uttered a few words about the impropriety of the host’s 
making them all wait for him, and Johanna talked to 
the justice, so that the fling entirely slipped by her 
ears. 

At length the door-knob turned and the judge enter- 
ed, with a cheerful and good-natured countenance, 
such as he had not had since the unfortunate jewel 
story was brought up. After him came Karin ; she 
carried the little jewel-casket. Her whole face showed 
that she had been veiy much agitated, although she 
now appeared perfectly serene. * 

‘^Excuse us, dear Carolina, for keeping you waiting,” 
said Wikstrand, “ but those cursed jewels have detained 
us. I now bring them with me to the general view, 
282 


LITTLE KARIN. 


283 


SO tliat you may return home with an easy mind. 
Put the casket on the table, dear child, we will first 
eat our breakfast and then look at the precious things.” 

Are the jewels found again exclaimed aunt Caro- 
lina, starting forward. “Are you sure, Magnus, that 
they have not been changed for fiilse ones ?” said she, 
eagerly. 

“ I cannot believe that the person who had them in 
charge would do such a thing, or what do you think, 
brother Enkeman ?” the judge laughed. 

“ I was certainly tempted to do so,” answered the 
justice and looked smilingly at aunt Carolina, w^ho in 
a wondering tone asked : 

“ Have they been with you ?” 

The question was answered in the afiftrmative and 
they began breakfast. Elias and Karin were exclu- 
sively occupied with each other ; they scarcely took 
part in the conversation, which was sustained in a very 
lively manner by the judge and the other gentlemen. 

Lisbetli’s angry look disappeared and w^as succeeded 
by a despondent expression, which increased according 
as the meal advanced. When it was ended, the judge 
drew the casket to him, opened it, and allowed aunt 
Carolina to take an inventory of the contents. She 
did it, and thoroughly examined every article and 
stone, until she succeeded in convincing herself, that 
the old setting had remained untouched. When she 
laid down the last etui, quite satisfied, Wikstrand said : 

“ Confound it all, how you have scrutinized those 
gems ; but it is not to be wondered at either, for in 
all probability they will never belong to your daugh- 
ter. There, Karin, now take the casket in jour 
charge.” 


284 


LITTLE KARIN. 


“Shall Karin keep it,” exclaimed Carolina, “she 
who took snch poor care of these jewels 

“ Do not trouble yourself, dear Carolina ; on Sunday 
the bans will be read for Karin and Elias, and in a 
year i hope she will have an heiress for the jewels.” 

Karin became crimson, the justice laughed, and 
aunt Carolina locked the casket again with energy, 
muttering something between her teeth that resembled 
“ rough fellow.” 

They i^se from the table. 

“ This evening I desire that we all gather in the 
sitting-room, I have then something to relate.” 

The judge nodded to Karin and went towards his 
door. 

“ Dear Magnus, I must go home to-day,” declared 
Carolina, “ I cannot be longer away from my house 
and my little ones.” 

“ It is too bad, but you cannot have the horses 
before to-morrow, when I myself will drive for you.” 

There was no chance for any objections, for the 
judge was already in his room and the door closed. 

At twilight a bright fire was blazing in the sit- 
ting-room, and around it were assembled all our 
friends at Ekholmen. A sharp north wind blew 
briskly outside, as a forerunner of all the bad weather 
October would bring with it. The sky, clear in the 
morning, was now dark and overcast, and if the thick 
clouds did not discharge all their torrents upon the 
earth, it was because the blast kept them in constant 
motion. 

It was with a feeling of extreme comfort that the 


LITTLE KARIN. 


285 


company sat and warmed themselves by the fire, en- 
joying the good autumn fruit, to which Johanna 
treated them. 

The judge smoked his pipe in silence and aunt 
Carolina exhausted herself in praise of the pears. 
Elias drew Karin closer to him, the justice pressed Jo- 
hanna’s hand, and Thure and Lisbeth stared at the fire. 
Constantin and the new inspector had gone to the city 
that morning. 

“ Lisbeth, light the lamp and then sit here at my 
side ; I am going to relate something which ought to 
interest you very much.” 

Lisbeth lighted the two lamps, which shed a clear 
although softened light over the room, after which she 
sat down by Wikstrand with her crocheting. 

“Lay down that stuff,” said he. “I wish you to 
listen to my words with undivided attention ; they 
concern your parents. Your mother, my cousin, was 
in her young days very beautiful and like you, given 
to making conquests, something to which Carolina 
and Johanna ought to be able to testify. The latter 
especially, who became the suffering party. Your 
mother was, like you, a spoiled child, but possessed 
what I fear you lack, a good heart, just like Karin. 

It happened at tha'^ time that Johanna and your 
father cherished an unaccountable love for each other 
and they betrothed themselves. Your father, how- 
ever, could not think of a wedding before he had 
something to feed his wife upon. It was no quick 
affair for the office-holder to get so far along. Kow it 
so chanced that your mother, during the summer, came 
in daily connection with your father, and as she was 
pretty, sprightly, and agreeable, he took a fancy to 


28G 


LITTLE KARIN. 


liis fiancee’s cousin, and the end was that the engage- 
ment with Johanna was broken. "Well, well, dear 
Johanna, it is not worth while to blush, for over 
twenty-four years have passed since that time. Elise 
had property and so they married. Ileldener shortly 
afterwards obtained the position of collector, but after 
a few years’ happy marriage he shot himself through 
the head ; his business had come in arrears. By suicide 
he escaped the consequences of his carelessness, but on 
the other hand plunged a friend into misery. The 
latter was obliged to run away to avoid imprisonment, 
and left his wife and child in a destitute condition. 
The widow withdrew to a small town, where she spent 
her life in extreme poverty with her child. At her 
husband’s express request, she had changed her name 
and resumed her own, under which she brought up 
her son. 

Your mother, who loved your father with all her 
soul, was deeply unhappy, and that which most bit- 
terly consumed her life was the consciousness that her 
husband had brought his friend to ruin. On her death- 
bed, she took the promise from her most loved child, 
Karin, then a girl of thirteen, that she would complete 
the work her mother had begun, of saving up her lit- 
tle pin money, through self-denial and abstinence 
from luxuries, and in silence sending it to the widow 
of the ruined friend. Karin promised this, and she 
kept her word, too. She became avaricious. All that 
she got she turned into money, and these sums, which 
she scraped together in a thousand different ways, she 
sent to the poor widow. How much scorn and deris- 
ion Karin had to suffer for her self-interest, we all 
know; but these constant attacks were not able to 


LITTLE KARIN.- 


287 


change her conduct. I, who from the beginning sus- 
pected why she saved up, why she worked in secret 
with untiring zeal and tried to save all the money she 
could, I held the girl dear and followed her efforts with 
great attention. All the money she received she put 
in the savings-bank, and when you, Lisbeth, desired 
trinkets and fine clothes, Karin desired money. When 
Karin at Christmas received the usual gift of one hun- 
dred and fifty thalers from her god-mother, she sent 
fifty thalers to the poor widow and placed one hundred 
in the savings-bank. When she succeeded in getting 
two thousand thalers, Enkeman was commissioned, 
under the most sacred promise of silence, to send them 
to the needy lady. The day this money went to its 
place of destination was the same one in which I 
requested it of Karin. It was a proof I let her under- 
go. I wished to see whether anger and contempt 
would not make her reveal her secret ; but I was mis- 
taken. She would have allowed herself to be killed, 
this little childish young one, rather than betray the 
penance she had imposed upon herself for her father. 
What I had not calculated wa^, that Karin found out 
for what purpose I needed these two thousand thalers. 
I said that they were necessary in order to wind up an 
old afiiiir, and therein I spoke the truth ; but I did not 
state what the affair was. I will now mention it. 

“Your father, in some strait, had written a false bond. 
This document was in the hands of a man who knew 
how to speculate with it. When your father died, it 
is now nine years ago, the holder of the note demanded 
payment of the bondsman, who denied his signature, 
and it was only through great sacrifices that I succeeded 
in inducing him not to make the fixlse security public. 


288 


LITTLE KARIN. 


I did not wish your poor mother to have the disgrace 
befall her, that her husband had also been a forger. 
Still I could not prevail upon the wretch to give me 
the disastrous note, although I have paid the amount 
many times over. The rascal died and the note fell 
into the hands of his son. To it was affixed a scrap, 
upon which was written : The security is false.” 
The son traveled here to me and gave me to under- 
stand that he intended to proclaim the fact, that Ileld- 
ener in his life-time had been a forger, unless I re- 
deemed the note for two thousand thalers. I prom- 
ised to do so within a week and requested the usurer’s 

sordid son to go to ^Ivoping and there await the 

payment. When I sent him off, 1 recollected that 
Pehr had mentioned, that Karin had drawn her money 
Trom the savings-bank and that it amounted to two 
thousand thalers. I knew that they were to go to 
the widow, but I thought, if they were not yet sent, 
Karin might lend them to me for a few days, until I 
had time to draw the requisite amount. I wished at 
the same time to test her. Yon know how this test 
resulted, but what you do not know, is that she obtain- 
ed the knowledge of wliat I needed the money for, 
through a note from Enkeman, which he sent to her 
after she hurried up to her room, and that she then 
started off to Pehr with her jewels, and, accompanied 

by him, went to hoping, where she borrowed the 

two thousand thalers on the security of the jewels. 
Wlien she returned from town, she alighted at Enke- 
man’ s house, gave him the money and begged him to 
pay the dangerous debt and write a few lines to me, 
saying that he would settle the affair. This letter 
Karin laid on my table the morning she came home. 


LITTLE KARIN. 


289 


A day or two afterwards Enkeman gave me the can- 
celled bond, and left it to me to find out where Karin 
had got the money. This was easy for me to do. I 
redeemed the jewels again, which have been in Enke- 
man’s care ever since. All my sternness to Karin has 
proceeded from the fact, that I desired to force her to 
mention the occurrence herself ; but she remained silent 
notwithstanding she felt miserable, crushed and re- 
jected. She has not for a single instant swerved from 
the promise she gave her mother, and that proves that 
the girl has a heart of gold and a character of steel. 
But not content with trying to atone for what her 
father had done in this respect, she has also done her 
best to mitigate the disappointment Heldener occasion- 
ed Johanna. Without Karin’s artifice, in exciting 
Johanna’s jealousy, my sister would still have gone 
and coquetted with all the young sprigs she met. 
Consequently, my dear Johanna, your and Enkeman’s 
happiness is Karin’s work. The poor child also wish- 
ed to secure your happiness, Lisbeth, and that at the 
cost of her own. As long as she believed that your 
felicity was called Elias, neither my anger nor people’s 
talk could make her follow the voice of her heart, 
which spoke loud for Elias, but she resigned him. 
This was so much the more high-minded, as you, my 
dear child, have been entirely destitute of friendliness 
and magnanimity towards your sister. Would you 
now, in conclusion, like to know who is your father’s 
friend’s — son ?” 

Lisbeth bent her head aflSirmatively. Her whole 
appearance showed that she felt extremely humiliated. 

“ It is — Thure !” 

Lisbeth started up from her seat, as if she had been 

13 


290 


LITTLE KARIN. 


touched with a red-hot iron. She became deadly pale. 

‘‘ Thure !” exclaimed she. 

“ Precisely, and now, my girl, you have a cursedly 
good opportunity to make amends through your love 
for what your father has done. And you, Thure, see 
in Karin the secret friend who supported your mother.” 

Thure had also risen. He stood before Karin with 
a pale brow and stammered in a voice full of emotion : 

‘‘ Thanks !” More he was not able to say, but he 
kissed the small hands warmly and added after a long 
pause ; “ can you forgive me for having been the most 
harsh in speaking of your economy ? Can you forget 
thisT 

“ Hush !” cried Karin, happy and confused, as she 
patted Thure’s bearded cheeks and then said merrily : 
“ what are you thinking of, dear uncle, to expose me 
in this style ? Fy, how naughty you are; I feel exact- 
ly as if you had stuffed me into an oven ; I must go 
out, so as to get some air.” 

Before Elias or any one had time to prevent it, she 
was out of the room, and all tongues were in motion to 
extol little Karin. 

Johanna declared openly, that she was ashamed of 
her own selfishness, when she thought of Karin’s beha- 
vior, and aunt Carolina acknowledged that the girl 
was not of the ordinary stamp. Wikstrand rubbed 
his hands and affirmed that he knew full well whom 
he chose for his favorite ; Elias was prouder of his 
betrothed, than a king of his crown. Thure lacked 
words for his admiration, only Lisbeth was mute ; but 
the silent tears that stole down her cheeks, told that 
even her heart had been touched by her sister’s noble 
conduct. 


CHAPTEE XXXn. 


' OHAXXA^S wedding was celebrated with great 
pomp and state at Ekholmen. ‘‘ The old man ” 
surpassed all expectation, so magnificent was 
it. He wished in this way to honor his sister and 
show her his affection. It was a truly happy day for 
Johanna, who enjoyed to see herself so honored. A 
handsome bride was she, in spite of her forty-five 
years. The justice was also the happiest justice who 
had ever worn a badge. He looked like a conqueror, 
when he, after the wedding was over, brought his Jo- 
hanna home to the newly fitted-up Bratbacken. 

Lisbeth and Karin acted as bride’s maids, Elias and 
Thure as groomsmen. Karin had been the most joy- 
ous, Lisbeth the most beautiful. There was that day 
something unusually gentle and shy in Lisbeth’s whole 
demeanor, which became the lovely girl far bet- 
ter, than the coquettish and pretentious manner that 
generally distinguished her. 

When spring came, with blossoms and the song of 
birds, and the gray turf became green, the bare trees 
clothed with foliage, a wedding again took place at 
Ekholmen not grand and pompous, put simple and 
unpretending. Only a little chosen assemblage of 
201 


292 


LITTLE KARIN. 


friends were invited to be present at the ceremony 
between Elias and Karin, but the next day all the 
young people in the neighborhood danced at the par- 
ty, and then there was pleasure and delight in the old 
home. 

And then ? 

Then Thure went to Stockholm, where he had 
obtained a position in the superior court. Lisbeth 
went to live with Thure’s mother, and Wikstrand 
paid her board. This had been her own desire, in 
order, as she said, to be formed into a good woman, 
under her future mother-in-law’s guidance. She had 
plenty of time for it, for six years elapsed after Karin’s 
marriage, before uncle Magnus had a chance to give 
her a wedding. Her sister’s little children declared, 
that aunt Lisbeth was almost as pretty as their mamma. 

Their little mamma, Karin, was actually more beau- 
tiful as a wife, than one could ever have expected that 
she would be. 

Karin and Elias’ six years’ marriage appeared to 
them both as a single day of joy, happiness and felicity. 

Aunt Johanna continued to be the stately mistress 
of Bratbacken, and felt extremely contented with her 
lot. When she talked with Karin about how well she 
enjoyed to be adored by her justice, she used to pinch 
Karin’s cheek and say, laughingly : 

After all it seems that I have your little intrigues 
to thank for my happiness.” 

Karin’s children were Johanna’s favorites ; the oldest 
boy was obliged to spend long periods in her home. 

When the little ones swarmed around Wikstrand in 
the evening, he smiled and said : 

“ I just wonder, what I could have to desire further ; 


LITTLE KARIN. 293 

I am cursedly satisfied with my lassie, her husband and 
young ones.” 

If Thure and Lisbeth’s domestic life did not pre- 
sent the same picture of joy and extreme contentment 
as Elias and Karin’s, this lay in their dispositions. 
Lisbeth, it is true, endeavored to be a good wife, but 
she did not always succeed. Yanity and the desire to 
please could not on all occasions be stified, and then 
arose discords. Thure was a stern husband, but yet a 
just and loving one. We ought thus to hope that 
when time has laid its cooling hand on Lisbeth’s eas- 
ily excited vanity, her efforts to counteract it will 
succeed, and their marriage will become as happy as 
little Karin’s. 


Finis, 



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